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The Porcupine (feat. Carol Keogh)

from Old Ghosts In The Water by SJ McArdle

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about

An imaginary account of an actual ship and master, named in shipping records which were uncovered by the great Drogheda historian Brendan Matthews. His research revealed that the much-disputed story
of ships delivering Turkish famine aid to Drogheda may actually have had a kernel of truth. I wanted to explore the character of the captain and imagine his life outside of the brief moment his ship arrived in Drogheda and how his wife’s love kept him safe at sea.

lyrics

John Cleveland is the master of the Porcupine
He’s been halfway round the world and back again
Through storms and mutinies and everything
Johnny’s pulled his crew through
Johnny’s got a girl at home called Sarah Lou
She is serious and smart and steadfast and true
She doesn’t take shit from Johnny or his crew
And she hates the Porcupine

If some day that ship goes down
And you don’t come home to me
I’ll find you I swear
You’ll hear my voice on the wind all summer

Now the Porcupine has run aground in shallow seas
And the crew is all praying, all down on their knees
For a current or a breath of wind to set them free
But Johnny’s not worried at all
He lies in his bunk and thinks of Sarah Lou
And he knows she’s the talisman that gets him through
She waits impatiently for word or news
And Johnny won’t dare let her down

If some day that ship goes down
And you don’t come home to me
I’ll find you I swear
You’ll hear my voice on the wind all summer

“Becalmed is nothing” he says to his first mate
“Compared to what awaits us all if we are late
So get up off your knees, boys, and own your fate
We’ve got work to do”

If some day that ship goes down
And you don’t come home to me
I’ll find you I swear
You’ll hear my voice on the wind all summer

John Cleveland is the master of the Porcupine
He’s been halfway round the world and he’s come back again

credits

from Old Ghosts In The Water, released July 1, 2022
Written by SJ McArdle
Reel: "Whipping the Herring" composed by Brendan McCreanor

SJ – duet vocal, high string guitar, 12 string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, organ, mandolin, harmonica
Carol – duet vocal
Trevor – double bass
Dermot – accordions
Barry – fiddle
Brendan – low whistle

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SJ McArdle image

SJ McArdle Drogheda, Ireland

SJ McArdle is an Irish songwriter and musician who has toured internationally, had several songs in movies and has released four solo albums.

He is known in part for his former work with Kern and with Long Woman's Grave with Nuala Kennedy & Trevor Hutchinson.

“Bravo for an artist who has taken contemporary Irish music to parts it far too seldom reaches” – Hot Press

Artist photos: Brian Connolly ... more

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