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Disappointment Island

by The King's Busketeers

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about

Andrew Prete's iconic, original song of the sea has been a favorite since he first brought it to the band. The story is based on the tragic history of a real island off the coast of New Zealand, so named for its many shipwrecks. With the help of Rafi from Singer Productions, we've created a definitive single version of this rousing shanty guaranteed to stir your soul and ready for fans new and old to howl along with.

lyrics

Auckland town's a fine old town
she watched me grow to be
but when I was grown she had no gold
so I left her for the sea
the captain called me to his side
said "it's time to earn your keep,
"be careful of that water's edge
"or someday there you'll sleep."

Chorus:
So heave her up and away we'll go
the captain he lay dyin
swear by God I'll sail no more
to Disapoointment Island

the sky was blue and the sun was gold
the day we left the bay
we were haulin sixteen knots northeast
as the bonny winds did stay
but three weeks in the grog went bad
crew morale went low
as greybeards charged across the sky
and the gales began to blow

(chorus)

the sun went down and the skies got dark
the moon came out no more
as rain and waves pounded the deck
the worst was still in store
cause our lookout spied a block of land
looming just ahead
but as we turned our ship about
she found that rocky bed

(chorus)

the starboard side was busted clean
the scuppers wouldn't drain
we pumped so much our hands had burst
thru the howlin winds and rain
then the mizzen snapped and landed hard
broke the skipper's bones
he ordered us "abandon ship
or meet old Davy Jones"

(chorus)

it's five long years we're stranded here
still waiting to hear the call
of the final ship to come our way
give us our homeward haul
of the twenty young men we started with
now there's nary three
I never asked to have this home
it would be the death of me

(chorus x2)

credits

released January 24, 2021
Andrew Prete: Songwriter, lead vocals, guitar
Sam Atwood: Cajon, Bass, Irish Bouzouki, harmony vocals
Josh Gannon-Salomon: Mandolin, harmony vocals
Rafi Singer: Sound Engineer, Producer

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The King's Busketeers Boston, Massachusetts

We are The King's Busketeers, a high-octane folk group from Massachusetts (and a little bit Rhode Island)! We make traditional songs from the British Isles and North America shake the rafters, with some bardic acapella hollering and floor-stomping originals added in for flavor. Come, friend, and have a listen! ... more

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