Jamie's on the Stormy Sea

DESCRIPTION: "Ere the twilight bat was flitting, in the sunset at her knitting, Sang a lonely maiden... Fitful rose the tender chorus, 'Jamie's on the stormy sea.'" The singer listens to the girl praying -- and at last steps out and reveals himself as Jamie
AUTHOR: Bernard Covert
EARLIEST DATE: 1849 (Journal from the _Euphrasia_)
KEYWORDS: sailor love separation reunion
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber)) Ireland US
REFERENCES (5 citations):
Greig/Duncan8 1851, "Jamie's On the Stormy Sea" (1 text, 1 tune)
Henry/Huntingdon/Herrmann-SamHenrysSongsOfThePeople H78, p. 484, "Jamie's on the Stormy Sea" (1 text, 1 tune)
Huntington-SongsTheWhalemenSang, pp. 34-36, "Jamie's on the Stormy Sea" (1 text, 1 tune)
Heart-Songs, p. 189, "Jamie's on the Stormy Sea" (1 text, 1 tune)
Dime-Song-Book #9, p. 41, "Jamie's on the Stormy Sea" (1 text)
Roud #2067
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, Harding B 18(311), "Jamie's On the Stormy Sea" ("E'eer the twilight bat was fletting"), H. De Marsan (New York), 1859-1860
LOCSheet, sm1850 482040, "Jamie's On the Stormy Sea," Oliver Ditson (Boston), 1850 (tune)
LOCSinging, as201800, "Jamie's On the Stormy Sea" ("E'eer the twilight bat was fletting"), H. De Marsan (New York), 1859-1860; also as201810, "Jamie's On the Stormy Sea" [still De Marsan; same first line misspelling]
NOTES [226 words]: At least he didn't dress up to trick her into thinking he was someone else. - RBW
The text of the surviving fragment at Greig/Duncan8 may be instructive; in its two verse entirety: "Fitful cam her tender chorus Jamie's on the stormy sea." "Weep nae mair sweet I am Jamie."
There is a similar, but not quite so "literary," song at LOCSinging, as101390, "Bonnie Jamie" ("The twilight hour is stealing, The day is dying fast ... But my bonnie, bonnie Jamie Has crossed the stormy sea."), J. Andrews (New York), 1853-1859; also as200410, sb10028b, "Bonnie Jamie." However, Jamie has not yet returned from the war by the end of this song. These broadsides, all issued by John Andrews or its successor, Henry De Marsan, include statements to the following effect: "By James Robinson. Respectfully dedicated to my friend, Sergeant Wheeler, U.S.A. This beautiful Song was composed by Mr. James Robinson, the Author of several of our most popular ballads. It is intended for a companion to Annie Laurie, and the same Air."
Broadsides Bodleian Harding B 18(311), LOCSinging as201800 and LOCSinging as201800: J. Andrews and H. De Marsan dating per Studying Nineteenth-Century Popular Song by Paul Charosh in American Music, Winter 1997, Vol 15.4, Table 1, available at FindArticles site.
Broadsides LOCSinging as201800 and Bodleian Harding B 18(311) are duplicates. - BS
Last updated in version 6.6
File: HHH078

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