CZTERY REFY - Strike the Bell

Strike the Bell

Words traditional
Music traditional: "Strike The Bell"

Aft on the poop deck and walking about
There's the second mate so steady and so stout.
What he is a-thinking of he doesn't know himself.
We wish that he would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

Down on the main deck and working at the pumps
There's the starboard watch all a-longing for their bunks.
Looking out to windward they see a great swell.
They're wishing that the second mate would strike, strike the bell.

Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below ... Aft on the wheel poor Anderson stands
Grasping at the wheel with his cold, mittened hands.
Looking at the compass, oh, the course is clear as hell
He's wishing that the second mate would strike, strike the bell.

Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below ... For'ard on the foc'sle head a keeping sharp lookout
Young Johnny's standing, ready for to shout:
"Lamps are burning bright, sir, and everything is well".
He's wishing that the second mate would strike, strike the bell.

Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below ... Aft on the quarterdeck the gallant captain stands
Looking out to windward with the spyglass in his hand.
What he's a-thinking of, we know very well,
He's thinking more of shortening sails than striking the bell.

Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below ...

"Strike the Bell" - Time on the sea has been measured by regular changes of watches according to certain systems, different for each fleet. The signal typically used was a characteristic strike on the bell. This tradition started in the days when time was measured by halfhour sand-glasses. So every half an hour a sailor who stood watch had to turn the sand-glass and strike the bell. It proved to proper doing the duties on the watch. Later a shout or sing-out “lamps are burning bright” was added. In a four-hour system eight bells signalled the long awaited end of the watch on deck and time to go below. 10. The Flash Frigate - The tune of this ballad about a shining frigate was used with many popular forecastle songs. It was also known as “La Pique”, sung in the Royal Navy. Half a century later and this tune was sung to celebrate the successes of packet “The Dreadnaught”. According to the experts, collective singing of choruses and adding the second line marked the beginning of transforming the ballad into a work song. It was later sung as a capstan shanty in a version called “Liverpool Packet”.

"Uderz w dzwon" is a Polish version of this song.