CZTERY REFY - Capstan Bars!

Capstan Bars!

Words & music original: Adam Jaskierski, "Kabestan"
English Words: Simon Spalding

"Capstan bars!", the mate is callin',
Heave the anchor from the ground!
Let me hear the clank of the capstan pawlin',
Round the capstan, heave around!
Once around, twice around the capstan stampin',
Heave the anchor from the ground!
Endless circles 'round the foredeck trampin',
Round the capstan, heave around!

One shot o' chain, we've got five more left,
Heave the anchor from the ground!
"Anchor up and down!", now work up a sweat,
Round the capstan, heave around!
Hose off the mud from Davy Jones' locker,
Heave the anchor from the ground!
Bend 'em down below to the old chain locker,
Round the capstan, heave around!

Astern our cares will all pass away,
Heave the anchor from the ground!
For today is our sailing day,
Round the capstan, heave around!
Cat tackle, fish tackle, soon we'll be leavin',
Heave the anchor from the ground!
Soon as the mate calls out, "Avast Heavin'!"
Round the capstan, heave around!
Round the capstan, heave around!

"Capstan Bars!" - An original Polish song (written by Adam Jaskierski), which caught the interest of Simon Spalding on his very first meeting with Cztery Refy. So far it is the only Polish sea song translated into English.
Simon Spalding said: "When I first met "Cztery Refy" this became my favorite of their songs, and I worked on this translation as a "Polish lesson" while sailing on brig "Niagara", one evening in my hammock as we lay at anchor near Philadelphia. "Iskra" was anchored very close by: hearing Polish voices so close by inspired me to take up the task. I added some text, because I wanted to include more of the commands used when actually raising the anchor by "Armstrong's Patent". In Polish or in English, it's a fantastic capstan chantey!"
After many years the translated version saw its proper usage as the capstan shanty ...and still is in our repertoire.

Note: Original recording of this song (in Polish version) you can find on the cassette: "Pozegnanie Liverpoolu"