Words: traditional
Music: traditional arr. Will Rivers
Audio: the London Sea Shanty Collective at Greenland Dock

A much-loved and evocative shanty. Possibly of minstrel origins; the “wild goose” might refer to the mysterious Wild Goose nation mentioned in several shanties, variously thought to relate to Ireland or Native Americans or African-Americans.

Did you ever see the wild goose sailing on the ocean?
Ranzo me boys, Ranzo Ray,
Just like them pretty girls when they gets the notion,
Ranzo me boys, Ranzo Ray.

And oh Ranzo you’ll rue the day as the wild goose sails away,
And oh Ranzo you’ll rue the day as the wild goose sails away.

As I was a-walking one evening by the river,
I met with my true love, my heart it was a-quiver.

I said: “How are you doing, my dear?”
She said: “None the better for the seeing of you here.”

Broke my heart, broke it so sore,
If I sail like the wild goose I’ll break it no more.

Did you ever see the wild goose sailing on the ocean?
Just like them pretty girls when they gets the notion.