Alan Lomax Archive | Walter Roberts and group: Bear Away Yankee, Bear Away Boy (1962) @AlanLomaxArchive | Uploaded January 2021 | Updated October 2024, 6 hours ago.
Led by chanteyman Walter Roberts, with Roy Gumbs, Reginald Syder, Franklin Skeete, and Reuben Morris. Recorded by Alan Lomax and Roger Abrahams on July 10, 1962, in Newcastle, Nevis.

Abrahams transcribes the lyrics below, and explains that "John Gould, mentioned in this song, is supposed by the men to have been a shipowner who lost his cargo."

Oh, what me going tell John Gould today?
Bear away, Yankee, bear away, boy.

Deep de water, shallow a shore,
Bear away, Yankee, bear away, boy.

Oh, bear away to Noble Bay,
Bear away, Yankee, bear away, boy.
Oh, bear away to Noble Bay,
Bear away, Yankee, bear away, boy.

Oh, what me going tell John Gould today?
Bear away, Yankee, bear away, boy.
Oh, what me going tell John Gould today?
Bear away, Yankee, bear away, boy. (Etc., ad lib.)