Ballad of the James Craig

We'll tell you of the James Craig, Our lovely ship of old, 

Her iron hull, a thousand tons, Sailed the oceans bold. 

In eighteen hundred and seventy-four She was christened Clan Macleod, 

Made the way they did those days: The builders did her proud. 

Chorus

James Craig's moving out, sailing on the tide. 

Heave away, me bonny crew: Get that yard up high! 

We've said farewell to Melbourne/Sydney/Hobart town, Kissed the girls/boys goodbye. 

So heave away, me bonny crew: It's off to sea we fly. 

Oh she sailed the oceans of the world, For sixty years and more, 

She carried wheat and rice and coal, To many a foreign shore, 

Took Yankee produce from New York For all the shops and stores, 

Then back again and laden down With wool and grain and more. 

Then sold on, she was, me friends, Her name changed to James Craig, 

Now sailing out of Auckland In the Tasman trade; 

She carried timber from the mills; To Newcastle she came; 

There she loaded tons of coal, And sailed to sea again. 

Oh the days of sail seemed over And the ship was laid away 

Down to the south of Hobart Town At a place called Recherche Bay. 

But in good time we found her there, And worked to set her free, 

And now she's got her rigging back, And dances on the sea! 

A tall ship, a proud ship, She heels into the swell, 

Pretty as a picture, Her story we will tell.

 Oh may she live forever Our home upon the sea. 

Crewed by volunteers, James Craig is sailing free.