Music

songs / albums / eras / tags

Songs

Across the Western Ocean
About
Lyrics
Download
Video
CD
Historical Era Era 4: Expansion and Reform (1801-1861)
Tags Immigration Sea Shanty
Listen & Download

 

About Across the Western Ocean

Penniless in the wake of a potato famine in their homeland, one and a half million Irish people immigrated to the United States between 1846 and 1850. Their passages were frequently paid by relatives who had already settled in America. Crossing the Atlantic by packet ship was inexpensive, especially for those who traveled from English ports, due to trade competition between America and Britain. The journey took at least six weeks on the overcrowded vessels. Famine, disease, and shipwreck caused an estimated one of every five immigrants to die at sea. Across the Western Ocean expresses the concerns of the people making the transatlantic journey and their loved ones. It shares the same melody as the sea shanty Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her. Which song begot the other is not definitively known.

Lyrics to Across the Western Ocean

Across the Western Ocean Oh, the times are hard and the wages are low Amelia, where you bound for? The Rocky Mountains is my home Across the Western Ocean Beware these packet ships I say Amelia, where you bound for? They'll steal your stores and clothes away Across the Western Ocean There's Liverpool Pat with his tarpaulin hat Amelia, where you bound for? And Yankee John the packet rat Across the Western Ocean Father and Mother, say goodbye Amelia, where you bound for? Brother and sister, don't you cry Across the Western Ocean

Download Across the Western Ocean

from or from another site: Liquid Digital ShockHound

Video of Across the Western Ocean

Compact Disc with Across the Western Ocean

This song is available on the compact disc: Ballad of America Volume 1: Over a Wide and Fruitful Land