Dubliners, The - The Lifeboat Mona Lyrics






[Chorus:]
Remember December fifty-nine
The howling wind and the driving rain
Remember the gallant men who drowned
On the lifeboat, Mona was her name

The wind it blows and the sea roars up
Beats the land with mighty waves
At St.Andrew's Bay the lightship fought
The sea until her moorings gave

[Chorus]

The captain signalled to the shore
'We must have help or we'll go down'
From Broughty Ferry at two a.m.
They sent The Lifeboat Mona

[Chorus]

Eight men formed that gallant crew
They set their boat against the main
The wind's so hard and the sea's so rough
We'll never see land or home again

[Chorus]

Three hours went by and the Mona called
The winds blow hard and the seas run high
In the morning on Carnusty Beach
The Mona and her crew did lie

[Chorus]

Five lay drowned in the kelp there
Two were washed up on the shore
Eight men died when the boat capsized
And the eighth is lost forever more

[Chorus]

Remember December fifty-nine
The howling wind and the driving rain
The men who leave the land behind
And the men who never see land again

Remember December fifty-nine
The howling wind and the driving rain
The men who leave the land behind
And the men who never see land again





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Dubliners, The The Lifeboat Mona Comments
  1. J.... W....

    Remember the Isle of Anglesey, the Isle of Mona.

  2. J.... W....

    Remember the Isle of Anglesey, the Isle of Mona.

  3. S.... ....

    Brought me to tears. Brave men who died so that others may live. No greater sacrifice.

  4. S.... ....

    Brought me to tears. Brave men who died so that others may live. No greater sacrifice.

  5. a.... m....

    I remember it so well lived about two miles from the lifeboat station.

    a.... m....

    60 years ago this month. Such a tragedy.

  6. a.... m....

    I remember it so well lived about two miles from the lifeboat station.

    a.... m....

    60 years ago this month. Such a tragedy.

  7. p.... _....

    The eight was lost and gone forever more

  8. p.... _....

    The eight was lost and gone forever more

  9. J.... C....

    Someone needs to write a song for the 9/11 firemen

  10. J.... C....

    Someone needs to write a song for the 9/11 firemen

  11. E.... D....

    Just learned this on the guitar as I have only start listening to it recently. Love finding folks songs that can be sung with such passion. Great song and story. A sad story that will on forever now. RIP the gallant men of the Lifeboat Mona.

  12. E.... D....

    Just learned this on the guitar as I have only start listening to it recently. Love finding folks songs that can be sung with such passion. Great song and story. A sad story that will on forever now. RIP the gallant men of the Lifeboat Mona.

  13. J.... O....

    2:19 Carnoustie Beach is in Tayside, on the eastern side of Scotland, nowhere near Ireland. That must mean that this is not an Irish song, right?

    J.... O....

    It wasn't written by an Irishman. Peggy Seeger wrote the song and gave it to the Dubliners. She was married to Ewan MacColl who also wrote some songs for the Dubliners.

    J.... O....

    @Bad Dub Great answer, thanks.

  14. J.... O....

    2:19 Carnoustie Beach is in Tayside, on the eastern side of Scotland, nowhere near Ireland. That must mean that this is not an Irish song, right?

    J.... O....

    It wasn't written by an Irishman. Peggy Seeger wrote the song and gave it to the Dubliners. She was married to Ewan MacColl who also wrote some songs for the Dubliners.

    J.... O....

    @Bad Dub Great answer, thanks.

  15. b.... A....

    One love

  16. b.... A....

    One love

  17. r.... ,....

    The way the songs of rhythm is makes me feel like I'm on a boat, love it

  18. r.... ,....

    The way the songs of rhythm is makes me feel like I'm on a boat, love it

  19. M.... W....

    I was a sailor for 2 years and a 1st man for 2 more. Always loved sitting at the front deck smoking while listening to the songs of the dubliners and watching everything around me float by :)

  20. M.... W....

    I was a sailor for 2 years and a 1st man for 2 more. Always loved sitting at the front deck smoking while listening to the songs of the dubliners and watching everything around me float by :)

  21. k.... ....

    It was 1959
    I remember this December day
    When 8 men were taken by the storm
    To the ocean's eternal shadow

    k.... ....

    Respect for this Crew .................RIP !

  22. k.... ....

    It was 1959
    I remember this December day
    When 8 men were taken by the storm
    To the ocean's eternal shadow

    k.... ....

    Respect for this Crew .................RIP !

  23. C.... W....

    french seafisherman i 'm, and this song enjoy me To make peace with you britanniq fishermen ..we re equal in front of the see god and luke...

  24. C.... W....

    french seafisherman i 'm, and this song enjoy me To make peace with you britanniq fishermen ..we re equal in front of the see god and luke...

  25. J.... S....

    great music

  26. J.... S....

    great music

  27. R.... F....

    Gems keep getting unearthed from the man with the golden voice...

  28. R.... F....

    Gems keep getting unearthed from the man with the golden voice...

  29. G.... T....

    Luke Kelly, what a voice. The Songs sung by him tend to hijack me to another time... May You Rest in Peace . Erin Go Bragh :)

  30. G.... T....

    Luke Kelly, what a voice. The Songs sung by him tend to hijack me to another time... May You Rest in Peace . Erin Go Bragh :)

  31. P.... D....

    Polish rendition with magnificent translation /watch?v=qVUeEH3pZt4

  32. P.... D....

    Polish rendition with magnificent translation /watch?v=qVUeEH3pZt4

  33. D.... ....

    he was 59, remember this December day, when eight men took a storm, somewhere in the ocean, an eternal shadow...

  34. D.... ....

    he was 59, remember this December day, when eight men took a storm, somewhere in the ocean, an eternal shadow...

  35. E.... B....

    This song, along with the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Gordon Lightfoot) and the Springhill Mining Disaster tear at my heart

    E.... B....

    Also the PenLee disaster of 1981 where 8 brave souls from RNIB also lost their lives when helping others

  36. E.... B....

    This song, along with the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Gordon Lightfoot) and the Springhill Mining Disaster tear at my heart

    E.... B....

    Also the PenLee disaster of 1981 where 8 brave souls from RNIB also lost their lives when helping others

  37. E.... M....

    Luke .....never another, his voice is the song!

  38. E.... M....

    Luke .....never another, his voice is the song!

  39. L.... J....

    This is a masterpiece.

  40. L.... J....

    This is a masterpiece.

  41. d.... ....

    Greatest folk singer in recent memory. Sorely missed

  42. d.... ....

    Greatest folk singer in recent memory. Sorely missed

  43. A.... ....

    Chylę czoła.

    A.... ....

    Ja też

  44. A.... ....

    Chylę czoła.

    A.... ....

    Ja też

  45. J.... G....

    i got this on record, MP4 does not do it justice

  46. J.... G....

    i got this on record, MP4 does not do it justice

  47. R.... ....

    When the call comes, you have to go out! You don't have to come back, but you have to go out...
    Pray for the 343. When the brave are lost, all of humanity should grieve. Will

  48. R.... ....

    When the call comes, you have to go out! You don't have to come back, but you have to go out...
    Pray for the 343. When the brave are lost, all of humanity should grieve. Will

  49. M.... W....

    Remember - the Lifeboat Service is a volunteer organisation.

    M.... W....

    Mike Weber always had a lot of respect for the RNLI as an ex-AB myself those waters are dangerous

  50. M.... W....

    Remember - the Lifeboat Service is a volunteer organisation.

    M.... W....

    Mike Weber always had a lot of respect for the RNLI as an ex-AB myself those waters are dangerous

  51. S.... O....

    Written by Peggy Seeger. There's a memorial stone in the wall of the boathouse. You can visit it on Street View:
    https://www.google.nl/maps/@56.4650848,-2.8772226,3a,75y,206.92h,79.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_LeE5C9332Xi7K13zUP6Pg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

  52. S.... O....

    Written by Peggy Seeger. There's a memorial stone in the wall of the boathouse. You can visit it on Street View:
    https://www.google.nl/maps/@56.4650848,-2.8772226,3a,75y,206.92h,79.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_LeE5C9332Xi7K13zUP6Pg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

  53. A.... G....

    is it true that after the catastrophe this lifeboat "Mona" was suspected to be possessed?

    A.... G....

    +Archaniol Gabriel yes they cleansed her with a Viking Ritual.

  54. A.... G....

    is it true that after the catastrophe this lifeboat "Mona" was suspected to be possessed?

    A.... G....

    +Archaniol Gabriel yes they cleansed her with a Viking Ritual.

  55. a.... c....

     "as I am sure the original version of this so moving tune was in Irish" What makes someone think the original version of a song was sure to be in Irish just because its being sung by an Irishman??? Luke picked up various songs whilst in Britain during the folk revival. For instance "Dirty Old Town" and "Shoals of Herring" were both Ewan Maccoll songs. This song was picked up from Ewan's American wife who wrote it. Peggy Seeger the sister of American folk legend Pete Seeger. 

    a.... c....

    allan connochie the fact that its mentions St Andrews and Broughty Ferry is a giveaway that its not an Irish song. Its about a Fife lifeboat that sank in the Firth of Tay. Its a Scottish song

    a.... c....

    The songs where given to Luke because he could deliver. British Scottish Irish , Luke had it all and could make the song a story that you would belive

    a.... c....

    Shoals of herring the poem was written by Ewan Maccoll , but if I'm not mistaken i think it was Louis Killen who first put it to music.
    Edit:after some research this is somewhat debated and the consensus seems to be that ewan wrote the song

    a.... c....

    One love

    a.... c....

    Ewan Mccoll what a man. Wasn't the best singer but sure could write a song

  56. a.... c....

     "as I am sure the original version of this so moving tune was in Irish" What makes someone think the original version of a song was sure to be in Irish just because its being sung by an Irishman??? Luke picked up various songs whilst in Britain during the folk revival. For instance "Dirty Old Town" and "Shoals of Herring" were both Ewan Maccoll songs. This song was picked up from Ewan's American wife who wrote it. Peggy Seeger the sister of American folk legend Pete Seeger. 

    a.... c....

    allan connochie the fact that its mentions St Andrews and Broughty Ferry is a giveaway that its not an Irish song. Its about a Fife lifeboat that sank in the Firth of Tay. Its a Scottish song

    a.... c....

    The songs where given to Luke because he could deliver. British Scottish Irish , Luke had it all and could make the song a story that you would belive

    a.... c....

    Shoals of herring the poem was written by Ewan Maccoll , but if I'm not mistaken i think it was Louis Killen who first put it to music.
    Edit:after some research this is somewhat debated and the consensus seems to be that ewan wrote the song

    a.... c....

    One love

    a.... c....

    Ewan Mccoll what a man. Wasn't the best singer but sure could write a song

  57. m.... ....

    A very moving song based on a real life disaster, brave men indeed.

  58. m.... ....

    A very moving song based on a real life disaster, brave men indeed.

  59. M.... ....

    Ar dhéis Dé go raibh an ochtar mairnéalai colgai a rinne iarracht bad an solais a tharrthàil, fad na oiche uafasach sin...

    M.... ....

    I Think just the same, nae laetha moigle

    M.... ....

    Sorry i want to learn gaelic, i`m from Galicia, and just for empathy, for same i have to learnd the deaf sings

  60. M.... ....

    Ar dhéis Dé go raibh an ochtar mairnéalai colgai a rinne iarracht bad an solais a tharrthàil, fad na oiche uafasach sin...

    M.... ....

    I Think just the same, nae laetha moigle

    M.... ....

    Sorry i want to learn gaelic, i`m from Galicia, and just for empathy, for same i have to learnd the deaf sings

  61. p.... c....

    nobody but luke could sing this

  62. p.... c....

    nobody but luke could sing this

  63. P.... L....

    I remember thiswell. I was eight when the Mona was lost and was at the Eastern school in Broughty Ferry when the news came.

  64. P.... L....

    I remember thiswell. I was eight when the Mona was lost and was at the Eastern school in Broughty Ferry when the news came.

  65. M.... ....

    It's great to hear such a moving tribute from a Irish singer to a Scottish lifeboat crew (Broughty Ferry, St Andrew's bay and Carnusty beach being Scottish place-names, near to Dundee). It show again the close links between the two peoples. EIRINN GO BRACH agus ALBA GU BRATH !!!!

  66. M.... ....

    It's great to hear such a moving tribute from a Irish singer to a Scottish lifeboat crew (Broughty Ferry, St Andrew's bay and Carnusty beach being Scottish place-names, near to Dundee). It show again the close links between the two peoples. EIRINN GO BRACH agus ALBA GU BRATH !!!!

  67. R.... H....

    Its written by an American folk singer Peggy Seeger so the the original is in english but hey there is nothing stopping you translating it into Irish.

  68. R.... H....

    Its written by an American folk singer Peggy Seeger so the the original is in english but hey there is nothing stopping you translating it into Irish.

  69. k.... ....

    one of the best songs of the dubliners, RIP Luke,Ronnie,Barney and Ciaran

  70. k.... ....

    one of the best songs of the dubliners, RIP Luke,Ronnie,Barney and Ciaran

  71. M.... ....

    How can a band have so much talent. Luke Kelly one of the best vocalists ever, ronnie drew has a voice that sends shivers down your spine, barney McKenna probably the best banjo player ever to grace the earth, John Sheehan an unbelievable fiddle player and the list goes on and on

  72. M.... ....

    How can a band have so much talent. Luke Kelly one of the best vocalists ever, ronnie drew has a voice that sends shivers down your spine, barney McKenna probably the best banjo player ever to grace the earth, John Sheehan an unbelievable fiddle player and the list goes on and on

  73. b.... ....

    You're right guy ! This song is effectively perfect ! Best Regards, Bob

  74. b.... ....

    You're right guy ! This song is effectively perfect ! Best Regards, Bob

  75. M.... ....

    a true legend....RIP

  76. M.... ....

    a true legend....RIP

  77. M.... ....

    What a voice...RIP, Luke.

    I will soon translate the song into Irish, so as to sing it by ceilis and traditional sessions in Gaoth Dobhair next year.

    It's only justice, as I am sure the original version of this so moving tune was in Irish..like all the most beautiful Irish melodies and songs.

    EIRE ABU !!!

    M.... ....

    I simply love it so powerfull message memories rising from the ashes

  78. M.... ....

    What a voice...RIP, Luke.

    I will soon translate the song into Irish, so as to sing it by ceilis and traditional sessions in Gaoth Dobhair next year.

    It's only justice, as I am sure the original version of this so moving tune was in Irish..like all the most beautiful Irish melodies and songs.

    EIRE ABU !!!

    M.... ....

    I simply love it so powerfull message memories rising from the ashes

  79. b.... ....

    So nice and strong song ! May I send you a version I've re-written with new lyrics ? Thanks, and Best Regards, Bob

  80. b.... ....

    So nice and strong song ! May I send you a version I've re-written with new lyrics ? Thanks, and Best Regards, Bob

  81. B.... L....

    this way, it will never be forgotten

  82. B.... L....

    this way, it will never be forgotten

  83. t.... t....

    love it, irish tones best ever

  84. t.... t....

    love it, irish tones best ever