The Captain's Apprentice ~ Trad. Arr. casetone2514

It seems a while since I uploaded a song about death and misery to lift everyone's spirits. So, in the lead up to the season of comfort, joy, goodwill and jollity, how about a song about the senseless murder of a young boy by his cruel and sadistic employer? Yeah! Just what I thought: Why the heck not.

Also known as The Cruel Ship's Captainn this song takes several forms and is found in several regional variations. One of the earliest recounts the true story of an East Anglian Ship's Captain who beat a child in his employ so savagely that he died. His crew 'arrested' him and he was taken to shore and tried for the crime and subsequently hanged for murder.

It is an unfortunate and disturbing fact that such occurrences were not uncommon and the song was recycled when other similar cases came to light at various ports around the British coastline and also in the USA (See The New York Trader for a US version)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• cruel
• ships
• captains
• apprentice
• folk
• song
• cabin
• boy
• new
• york
• trader
• ukulele
• uke
• ukelele

[fredxmertz]

SO much better than Brian Ferry's retched version. Reminds me a bit of Ian Drury! AND I have NEVER heard tthose 3rd thru 5th verses! you freaking rock.

[casetone2514]

@fredxmertz

Thanks very much - I didn't know Brian Ferry had done this.

[ShiftySquirrel]

Death and misery? Fits right in with the weather today!

[casetone2514]

Flippin' heck - the weather's bad here today but as far as I'm aare it hasn't caused any deaths. Must be pretty lousy where you are.

Thanks

[mctrmt]

There's nothing like death and misery when it's delivered this well! Wonderful!

[casetone2514]

Absolutely!

Thanks M-A

[BaronK69]

Love your old "pirate" songs Tony!

[kennymelodica]

excellent and gripping performance. Dark subject matter with a great tune

[Dabbers1959]

Cracking! The youth of today don't know they're born :) Thanks.

[fredxmertz]

@casetone2514

I generally like Brian Ferry, but he did IMHO a poor version of this very powerful and emotive piece. It was on a PIRATE music compilation put out by Jonny Depp after the first Pirate of the Carribean movie. Thanks for digging up those extra verses, well done. cheers.

[casetone2514]

A Joy!?!?

Thanks

[casetone2514]

Thanks very much