Inside the Bar

Lyrics#

:I knows a town, an’ it’s a fine town, ::An’ many a brig goes sailin’ to its quay; ::::::Yo-ho. :I knows an inn, an’ it’s a fine inn, ::An’ a lass that’s fair to see. :I knows a town, an’ it’s a fine town; ::I knows an inn, an’ it’s a fine inn - :But O my lass, an’ O the gay gown ::Which I have seen my pretty in! :I knows a port, an’ it’s a fine port, ::An’ many a brig is ridin’ easy there; ::::::Yo-ho. :I knows a home, an’ it’s a good home, ::An’ a lass that’s sweet and fair. :I knows a port, an’ it’s a good port; ::I knows a home, an’ it’s a good home - :But O the pretty that is my sort ::What’s wearyin’ till I come! :I knows a day, an’ it’s a fine day, ::The day a sailorman comes back to town; ::::::Yo-ho. :I knows a tide, an’ it’s a good tide, ::The tide that gets you quick to anchors down. :I knows a day, an’ it’s a fine day; ::I knows a tide, an’ it’s a good tide - :An’ Lord help the lubber, I say, ::What’s stole the sailorman’s bride. ::::::Yo-ho!

Recordings#

• Elgar: War Music Paul Kenyon, Stephen Godward, Simon Theobald, Russell Watson (baritones)
• Roderick Williams, Nicholas Lester, Laurence Meikle and Duncan Rock/Guildford Philharmonic/Tom Higgins: Somm SOMMCD243 Includes “Inside the Bar”

References#

*Moore, Jerrold N. “Edward Elgar: a creative life” (Oxford University Press, 1984)