Great Big Sea – England tab

"England"(McCann) 
 From "Fortune's Favour" (2008)


 This is certainly mr. McCann's most impressive
 song to date.Alan Doyle's Nic Jones style guitar
 part is played in Open C and deserving of a full tab.
 this transcription will follow the implied chords and\or
 the ones played (in standard) by Murray Foster's guitar.

 Use A capo on the fifth fret.


 Intro:|C  |
 C                    F         G5    C
 We were far from the shores of England
 C            F             G5
 Far from our children and wives
    F        C           G5      C
 To play our hand in the Newfoundland
                     F    C   G5
 where the wind cuts like a knife
         C            F         G5    C
 we were far from the shores of England

    C                    G5   C
 We shipped on board the Maryanne
           F      G5
 to find a better life
        F        C        G5  C
 and we walked across the water 
                   F  C    G5
 when she broke up on the ice
 
 we came ashore in Carbonear 
 with nothing but our rights
 and I wondered if I e'er again
 would see my London Lights 

 we were far from the shores of England
 far from our children and wives
 to play our hand in the Newfoundland
 where the wind cuts like a knife
 we were far from the shores of England
 far from our native soil
 to chase a wish,and to hunt the fish,
 and on the rocks to toil
 we were far from the shores of England

 We spend our days amid the waves
 working water, hook and twine
 we'd go for weeks with blistered cheeks
 waiting for the sun to shine
 but as long as the sky hold over us
 we will not taste the brine
 and we'll curse the cod with the fear of god
 as we haul in every line

 CHORUS

 Break: |C Dm7 G| X2

 Should we find fortune's favour,
 and be spared from the gale
 we will live off honest labour
 with our hearts as big as sails
 but if I should die don't bury me
 or leave me to the sea
 just send my bones back to my home
 where my spirit can be free

 CHORUS, end on C