BOLD FISHERMAN
| bold_fisherman.docx |
First heard on a bowlback mandolin played by my cousin's grandfather full of whiskey at his daughter's wedding, the Bold Fisherman has been passed down and around, a fun one for kids of all ages. It's in the key of C here, and in the key of A in our Ukalaliens Songbook. Play around with the key until you find the best place for your voice. It's a mouthful, so mind your diction and have fun with the song. Although it has a morbid side, it's been known to soothe babes in the house to sleep with its easy cadence and little story.
This song was also sung by Humphry Bogart to Katherine Hepburn drunk as a skunk in the African Queen.
This song was also sung by Humphry Bogart to Katherine Hepburn drunk as a skunk in the African Queen.
| Bold Fisherman, Tales from Puddletown CD |
BOLD FISHERMAN
Traditional
C G7 C
There was a bold fisherman who sailed out from Pimlico
F G7 C
To slew the wily codfish and the bold mackerel.
F C
When he got to Pimlico the stormy winds began to blow,
Am Dm G7 C
And his little boat went wibble-wobble and overboard went he.
C G7
Singing, "Twinkle doodle dum, twinkle doodle dum,"
C G7
'Twas the highly interesting song he sung.
C G7
"Twinkle doodle dum, twinkle doodle dum,"
C G7 C G7 x2
Sang the bold fisherman.
C G7 C
He wriggled and he scriggled in the ocean so briny-o.
F G7 C
He yell-owed and he bell-owed for help but in vain.
F C
Downward he did gently glide to the bottom of the silvery tide,
Am Dm G7 C
But previously to this he cried, "Fare thee well, Mary Jane."
C G7 C
His ghost walked at midnight by the bed of his Mary Jane.
F G7 C
When he told her how dead he was, she said, "I'll go mad."
F G7 C
"If my lovey is so dead," said she, "no joy on earth there'll ever be,
Am Dm G7 C
And I never more will happy be" and she went raving mad.
Traditional
C G7 C
There was a bold fisherman who sailed out from Pimlico
F G7 C
To slew the wily codfish and the bold mackerel.
F C
When he got to Pimlico the stormy winds began to blow,
Am Dm G7 C
And his little boat went wibble-wobble and overboard went he.
C G7
Singing, "Twinkle doodle dum, twinkle doodle dum,"
C G7
'Twas the highly interesting song he sung.
C G7
"Twinkle doodle dum, twinkle doodle dum,"
C G7 C G7 x2
Sang the bold fisherman.
C G7 C
He wriggled and he scriggled in the ocean so briny-o.
F G7 C
He yell-owed and he bell-owed for help but in vain.
F C
Downward he did gently glide to the bottom of the silvery tide,
Am Dm G7 C
But previously to this he cried, "Fare thee well, Mary Jane."
C G7 C
His ghost walked at midnight by the bed of his Mary Jane.
F G7 C
When he told her how dead he was, she said, "I'll go mad."
F G7 C
"If my lovey is so dead," said she, "no joy on earth there'll ever be,
Am Dm G7 C
And I never more will happy be" and she went raving mad.