[control: traditional, narrative, restrained, emotive] [genre: english folk, traditional ballad] [mood: maritime adventure, tension, romance, triumphant resolution] [instruments: acoustic guitar (percussive fingerstyle, body slap), fiddle, concertina] [vocals: male tenor lead A3–F5 emotive storyteller | female alto harmony G3–D5 subtle shadow only] [key: C major] [length: 230] [Intro | instrumental | percussive fingerstyle establishes groove | soft concertina swell] [Verse 1 | intimate lead | restrained delivery | light shadow harmony] It's of a fair and handsome girl, And she's all in her tender years, She fell in love with a sailor boy And it's true that she loved him well, For to go off to sea with him, Like she did not know how. She longed to see that seaport town, Called Canadee-I-O, [Instrumental | 8 bars | rolling syncopation | fiddle answers guitar] [Verse 2 | narrative push | gentle tension build | harmony stays low] So she bargained with a young sailor boy, It's all for a piece of gold. Straightway then he led her. All down into the hold, Saying, "I'll dress you up in sailor's clothes, Your jacket shall be blue, You'll see that seaport town, Called Canadee-I-O.” [Instrumental | 8 bars | steady pulse] [Verse 3 | danger peak | firmer tenor | harmony barely audible] Now, when the other sailors heard the news, Well, they fell into a rage. And with the whole ship's company, They were willing to engage. Saying, "We'll tie her hands and feet my boys, Overboard we'll throw her, And she'll never see that seaport town, Called Canadee-I-O.” [Instrumental | 8 bars | brief fiddle flourish] [Verse 4 | authority shift | calmer but resolute delivery] Now, when the captain he's heard the news, Well, he too fell in a rage. And with all of his whole ship's company, He was willing to engage. Saying, "She will stay all in sailor's clothes, Her color shall be blue. She'll see that seaport town, Called Canadee-I-O.” [Instrumental | 8 bars | concertina breathes] [Verse 5 | resolution | warm delivery | harmony slightly wider] Now when they came down to Canada, Scarcely above half a year. She's married this bold captain, Who called her his dear. She's dressed in silks and satins now, And she cuts a gallant show. She's the finest of the ladies, Down in Canadee-I-O. [Instrumental | 8 bars | relaxed groove] [Verse 6 | moral close | confident storyteller | no lead change] Come all you fair and tender girls, Wheresoever you may be. I'd have you to follow your own true love, When he goes out on the sea. For if the sailors prove false to you, Well, the captain he might prove true. You see the honor that I have gained, By the wearing of the blue. [Instrumental | 16 bars | gentle lift then settle] [Outro | instrumental | soft landing | fade]
