Lyrics The Del McCoury Band - The King's Shilling

A voice was heard in the market one day
Two lads who gaze out to the sea
Come take the king's shilling and follow your dreams
I'll make you a sailor like me

The first one to speak was the carpenter's lad
Tim Barlow was his darlin' name
He said I'll come with you and follow the flag
Young Daniel cried I'll do the same

The ship left the harbor the very same day
Young Daniel gazed back at the shore
His mother was crying and waving goodbye
She knew she'd see Daniel no more

Chorus:
For sailors will sleep in the deep so they say
And dream of the land and their love
There's no turnin' back once the salt's in their veins
Their spirits fly free like a dove

They met with the fleet and the ships of the line
And straight way set sail for the west
The weather turned dark and the north wind did blow
Young Daniel was put to the test

He was climbin' the riggin' while the wind howled around
And the ship like a toy it was tossed
He fell from the main mast and never was found
To the sea a young soul had been lost

Then Tim lost his sight in the battle that raged
With a tin cup he sits by the door
He hears a voice call in the market some days
Come lads we're away to the war.

Chorus