Those In Peril On The Land

Sid says:  "This song is about being Guntoned.  You see, the young women of Gunton at one time got fed up with having all their young men Shangheid and made to go to sea, so they started to Gunton passing sailors and make them stay on land.  There they had to suffer terrible softships, like lying on feather beds, sleeping all night, having decent food, and so on."

Those In Peril On The Land appears in The Ballad Of Sid Kipper.

Come listen how this sailor boy was cruelly becalmed,

When I met with that Gunton girl, she wooed me with her charms.

Then she twirled me in her legs, oh and she whirled me in her hands -

Well I woke up sore, lamenting, and in peril on the land.

In peril on the land;  in peril on the land.

A port in every girl's not on, in peril on the land.

Them Gunton girls they scupper you, for when you are undressed

They'll steal away your clothes, and then return them washed and pressed;

Put money in your pocket and a gold ring on your hand,

But when they fetch the vicar you're in peril on the land.

In peril on the land;  in peril on the land.

Oh I tied one knot too many, I'm in peril on the land.

When first I tried land lubbing life I thought it quite the thing;

Oh her father was a farmer, so I went and worked for him.

But backing up the cart one day I saw the mistress stand -

When I cried 'Avast behind' I was in peril on the land.

In peril on the land;  in peril on the land.

She was extremely stern so I'm in peril on the land.

The mistress told the master, and then she told his wife,

And when she told my missus, well she caused to me great strife.

So now I'm in the dog house, that's what I must withstand;

And the dog is in here with me, we're in peril on the land.

In peril on the land;  in peril on the land.

They're calling me Wild Rover, I'm in peril on the land.

Now our captain runs the Ship Hotel, the mate he pulls the beer,

The cabin boy's the chamber maid, the purser is cashier;

For all of them were caught like me, and now the Ship is manned

By four and twenty sailor boys, in peril on the land.

In peril on the land;  in peril on the land.

Yes, they've all ended in the drink, in peril on the land.

So come all you gallant sailor boys, don't run away from sea,

And never you let a Gunton girl an inch above your knee;

For if you do she'll grapple you, she'll board hand over hand,

And soon you will be pressed by her, in peril on the land.

In peril on the land;  in peril on the land.

And then you must serve under her, in peril on the land.

Copyright Chris Sugden, 1996