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THE JAMESTOWN HOMEWARD BOUND Lead: Peter

A patriotic forebitter from the 1840's, in Joanna Colcord, Roll And Go: Songs Of American Sailormen.

LYRICS:

The farmer's heart with joy is filled when his crops are good and sound
But who can feel the wild delight of the sailor homeward bound?
For three long years have passed away since we left freedom's shore
Our long-felt wish has come at last, and we're homeward bound once more

Chorus:
To where the sky is clear as the maiden's eye who longs for our return
To the land where milk and honey flows and liberty it was born
So fill our sails with the favoring gales, and with shipmates all around
We'll give three cheers for our starry flag and the Jamestown homeward bound

To the Mediterranean shores we've been, and its beauties we have seen
And Sicily's grand and lofty hills and Italy's garden green
We've gazed on Mount Vesuvius, with its rugged slumbering dome
Night is the time in that red clime when a sailor thinks of home

We've strayed round Pompeii's ruined walls, and on them carved our names
And thought of its ancient beauties past and vanished lordly dames
And gazed on tombs of mighty kings who oft in battle won
But what were they in all their sway with our brave Washington?

And now we have arrived in port and striping's our last job
And friendly faces look around in search of Bill or Bob
They see that we are safe at last from the perils of the sea
Saying, "You're welcome, Columbia's mariners, to your homes and liberty."