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Endurance

from Standing Stones by The Crossing

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about

In August of the year 1914 Sir Ernest Shackleton, known variously to his crew as “the Boss” or “Cautious Jack,” set sail for Antarctica. His goal was to be the first to traverse the continent from coast to coast crossing the South Pole in the process. However, within sight of land his ship was frozen and crushed in the pack ice of the Weddell Sea. His story is one of endurance, survival, and commitment to the welfare of the men under his command, all of whom were saved. Only one suffered any lasting physical injuries, losing some toes to frostbite. Ironically, he was a stowaway. It seems fitting that Shackleton’s family crest should have the motto “By Enduring We Conquer” emblazoned across the top.

Arty McGlynn, the well-known Irish guitar player, calls the tune we use to open the song “Sonny Brogan’s.” The rather appropriate tune at the end, “Hole in the Boat,” is from the playing of Chicago musician Laurence Nugent.

lyrics

In August nineteen-fourteen
Sir Ernest sailed for the Weddell Sea
Twenty-seven souls and he
In the bonny bark Endurance

Sheathed in greenheart stem to stern
With a heart of oak and coal to burn
Beneath each mast a copper coin
To keep her bones from breaking

Oh the sea, oh the sea, oh the howling wind and sea
Through frozen tears and gales of grief
Enduring we shall conquer
Oh the sea, oh the sea, oh the howling wind and sea
With courage, faith, and hope in ye
Enduring we shall conquer

Floes to starboard fore and aft
Her port beam speared by an icy shaft
They broke her heart, they broke her back
Antarctic ice the master

The Boss cries out, “She’s goin’, boys!
Her stack’s gone down between the flows!”
They watched her as her rudder rose
And slowly sank beneath them

Dropping down to eight below
A living gale begins to blow
Tonight they sleep on the open floe
The sun itself is dying

Desolate, dark, an awful sight
The blackness of the polar night
Two months and more without the light
Or warmth of sun to cheer them

Strike the tents, the boats away
The pack is breaking, pull and pray
For Elephant Isle they bear away
Across the Bransfield Strait

Open boats in a hostile sea
The ocean gives no guarantee
Six days from Patience far away
They make their lonely landfall

Cautious Jack made up his mind
Six would leave the rest behind
Praying for their peace of mind
Set sail for South Georgia

Four long months, the days crept by
They watched with weary and desperate eye
When there at last, hope justified
Was Shackleton returning

credits

from Standing Stones, released May 24, 2002
Lyrics: Tony Krogh Music: Tony Krogh/trad.

Tony: guitar, lead vocals Mike: lead guitar, vocals, bodhran Mark: whistle,flute Jen:fiddle Hilde: cello

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The Crossing Chicago

The Crossing is a talented group of musicians firmly rooted in the traditional celtic music featuring bagpipes, whistles, fiddle, cello and harp among their many instruments. They blend original songs with traditional Irish and Scottish jigs and reels as well as atmospheric ballads. With their songs they get you thinking while their instrumentals get your feet moving. ... more

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