ON LONGSTONE (GRACE DARLING) (GEORGE LINLEY / BLISS)

When TB was looking for a song featuring the Farne Islands for the Island Slices show, Grace Darling seemed an obvious candidate. But a little research revealed that as usual the legend was less than accurate. Grace, who was then 23, actually played little part in the rescue, and hated becoming the 'first ever media heroine.' This is what really happened.

George's original lyric* merely perpetuated the myth and, even worse, had no refrain, but it did contain some wonderfully florid Victorian writing. Tom found a tune as soon as he picked up his guitar (there were some strange dots and horizontal lines attached to the words, but as we all know, these mean nothing to any true musician). The new tune links both musically and topically with 'Tower of Refuge' and The Toms typically tag an instrumental version of 'Tower' on the end of 'Longstone'

Oh! Father lov'd, the storm is raging

Cold and heavy the breakers fall

Some hapless crew, a prey to fortune

For help, for help, despairing call.

Oh father lov'd I fear no danger

With you I’d boldly face the wave,

The boat launch quickly, the boat launch quickly,

Yon hapless crew we may yet save.

My gentle child! 'Tis worse than madness

To tempt the sea this fearful night

Again to sleep, to rest betake thee

Await, await, the morning light.

How can I sleep? Their screams appall me!

Father, hear that piercing cry?

The boat launch quickly, the boat launch quickly,

A rescue we must surely try.

The boat launched in through breakers roaring,

O’or surf and surge, this frail craft flew.

That gentle maid, with faith unshaken

Has snatched from death yon hapless crew.

Though all the word her deeds extolling

No pride she finds in all their praise

The boat launch quickly, the boat launch quickly

On Longstone let me end my days

* This link doesn't always work. Type in Grace Darling and you shold find these original words

Oh! Father lov'd, the storm is raging

Andcold and heavy the night mist falls;

Some hapless crew, a prey to danger,

For help, for help, despairing calls.

Trim, trim the lamp,the boat launch quickly,

Tho' danger threatens, the worst we'll brave;

The toil I heed not if we can rescue

The shipwreck'd wand'rers from the grave.

Oh! father help,the storm is raging,

And cold and heavy the night mist falls;

The boat launch quickly, the boat launch quickly,

Some hapless crew for help now calls.

My gentle child! 'Twere worse than madness

To tempt the billow this fearful night;

Again to sleep, to rest betake thee

Await, await, the morning's light.

I cannot sleep, their shrieks appall me

Oh! father, heard ye that piercing cry?

Arise, ye, hasten, the day is breaking

Look out, look out, a wreck I spy.

Oh father lov'd I fear no danger

With you I will boldly breast the wave,

The boat launch quickly, the boat launch quickly,

Yon hapless crew we yet may save.

The boat is launch'd thro' breakers roaring,

Like to some wild bird, the frail skiff flew.

That gentle girl, with love unshaken

Has saved from death that hapless crew.

The danger past, her heart beats lightly

Her silent transport no pride betrays

Tho' grateful tears are round her falling

And hearts are throbbing to her praise.

The danger past, her heart beats lightly

Her silent transport no pride betrays

Tho' grateful tears are round her falling

And hearts are throbbing to her praise.