Song Description

A song about Christchurch Harbour and Jim Derham, a fisherman who used to row families across the Run at Mudeford Sandbanks.

Lyrics

Winter nears I rise and douse the fire
I climb the stairs and say my prayers;
Peace is my desire
But in the night, I see a flower that grew:
A sweet and fragrant, precious child
I never really knew

Morning comes, and for my sins I wander
Along the streams of gone by dreams;
That flowed within me fonder
In forest New, I see the wildwood bloom
And enchantment hides, where a wall divides
My cold and lonely room?..

Row Jim! Row!
Row that old seabed
Let me walk up those paths of chalk to Hengistbury Head
Far from shore, I see those white topped sails
And the old ways round echo to the sound
Of the Thirteen Priory bells

Slow Time! Slow!
Let me stay forever
Shall I comb that beach alone, that we once combed together?
Will I find in death those same sea shells?
And when life is stilled, will my ears be filled
By the Thirteen Priory Bells?


Row Jim! Row
Row with all your might
Thrash the waves with your trusty blades and if we lose the fight
We may rest where dead men tell no tales
Yet I know we?ll never hear the last of the Thirteen Priory Bells