CZTERY REFY - Maui 1

Maui (1)

Polish words: Elzbieta Chmurska, Dariusz Matuszak
Music traditional: "Rolling Down to Old Maui"

Twarda walka, w ustach gorzki potu smak,
To przekleta zycia tresc
Wsrod zamieci snieznych i uderzen fal,
Wielorybie cielska wlec.
Przed oczyma wciaz ten widok mam,
Polarnego morza kry,
Ale wkrotce koszmar skonczy sie
I ujrzymy brzegi Maui.
Ale wkrotce koszmar skonczy sie
I ujrzymy brzegi Maui.

Czeka na nas jeszcze wiele ciezkich chwil
I bryl lodu ostre kly.
Gdy harpuny nasze wreszcie znajda cel,
To wrocimy do brzegow Maui.
Na Kamczackim Morzu, hen, daleko stad,
Gdzie okrutny czas wlecze dni,
Wspominamy twarze dziewczyn tych,
Co zostaly w dalekiej Maui.

Szesc piekielnych miesiecy uplynelo juz
Wsrod polarnej, nocnej mgly
Lecz w pamieci naszej jeszcze zywe sa
Wspomnienia slonca Maui.
Juz w ladowniach mamy kilka sztuk,
Mnostwo beczek tranu z nich.
Wiec "All hands on deck! Wszyscy rabac lod!"
Przed nami wiele setek mil.

Hen, za rufa pozostal ten arktyczny swiat,
Sniegi, lody, sztormow ryk.
To przeklete pieklo stale sni sie nam,
Pol lodowych glosny zgrzyt.
A wiec plynmy tam, gdzie Diamond Head
Strzeze tropikalnych wysp.
Tam sprzedamy ladunek i dalej w tan
Z dziewczynami ze starej Maui.

"Maui" - in the first half of 19th century the port of Lahaina on the island of Maui was a popular mooring. The natives, especially the charming "wahines" did all they could to make the tired whalers' life sweeter. Very soon the "ship girls" were on board before a ship was even moored. It is no wonder that whalers hurried to sample the delights of Maui.
"Rolling Down to Old Maui" was a favourite song of Stan Hugill. The "basic version" is well known (also recorded by Simon Spalding & Cztery Refy" on the cassettes: "On Deck" and "Round the Capstan"). There are also a few completely different versions of the melody. The "Refy" have recorded two of them. This one is based on the recording of the group "Jolly Jack", from the 70's.
Note: On the cassette "Piesni wielorybnicze" ("Whaling Songs") we also present another version which is similar to one, recorded by A. L. Lloyd.