Home From The Sea Lyrics And Chords
Written By Phil Coulter, music by Stewart Hendrickson and recorded by Liam Clancy, Derek Ryan [ lyrics ] and by Celtic Thunder. The sheet music and tin whistle notes are included. The sheet music isn't in the key that Liam Clancy plays the song in as his version would not be suitable for the tin whistle but I have included a version of the sheet music and tin whistle notes that's suited for tin whistle..
"Home from the Sea" by Phil Coulter is a moving and poignant song that pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of maritime rescue crews, particularly those who serve in the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The song’s lyrics tell a vivid story of a rescue mission during a stormy night, emphasizing themes of heroism, community, and the dangers of life at sea.
Themes and Meaning
The song remains a favorite in maritime communities and is often performed or played at ceremonies honoring rescue crews and those lost at sea.
Themes and Meaning
- Bravery and Sacrifice:
The song highlights the courage of lifeboat crews, who risk their lives to save those in peril on the sea. The line “May the lifeboat carry them safe” is a plea for the safety of both the rescuers and those they save. - Community and Brotherhood:
"Home from the Sea" reflects the solidarity of coastal communities. The lifeboatmen are portrayed as unsung heroes who step up during moments of crisis, bound by a sense of duty and brotherhood. - Dangers of the Sea:
The song emphasizes the unpredictable and often deadly nature of the sea. Storms, darkness, and rough waters are ever-present threats, underscoring the peril faced by those who make their living from or near the sea. - Hope and Faith:
Despite the danger, the song also carries a message of hope and faith. The imagery of bringing sailors “home from the sea” symbolizes a safe return to loved ones and the triumph of resilience over adversity. - Tribute and Gratitude:
Coulter’s song can be seen as a heartfelt tribute to the RNLI and similar organizations worldwide. It expresses gratitude for their selfless dedication to protecting lives at sea.
The song remains a favorite in maritime communities and is often performed or played at ceremonies honoring rescue crews and those lost at sea.
Home From The Sea Easy version of the Chords
Chorus
[G]Home,[C] home,[F] home from the[C] sea
An[F]gels of mer[C]cy, an[F]swer our[G] plea
And carry us[C] home, home,[F] home from the[C] sea
Car[F]ry us safe[C]ly ho[G]me from the[C] sea.
[G]On a[C] cold winters night
With a storm at its height
The life[F]boat answered the[C] call.
They p[G]itched and they toss[C]ed
Till we thought they were[Am] lost
As we[D7] watched from the harbor[G] wall.
Though the[C] night was pitch black,
There was no turning back,
For some[F]one was waiting out[E7] there,
But each volun[F]teer
Had to[C] live with his fe[Am]ar
As they[D7] joined in a silent pra[G]yer.
[Repeat chorus]
As they battled their way
Past the mouth of the bay,
It was blowing like never before.
As they gallantly fought,
Every one of them thought
Of loved ones back on the shore.
Then a flicker of light
And they knew they were right.
There she was on the crest of a wave.
She's an old fishing boat
And she's barely afloat.
Please God, there are souls we can save.
CHORUS
And back in the town
In a street that runs down
To the sea and the harbor wall,
They'd gathered in pairs
At the foot of the stairs
To wait or the radio call.
And just before dawn
When all hope had gone
Came a hush and a faraway sound.
'Twas the coxswain he roared
All survivors on board
Thank God and we're homeward bound.
[Chorus]
Chorus
[G]Home,[C] home,[F] home from the[C] sea
An[F]gels of mer[C]cy, an[F]swer our[G] plea
And carry us[C] home, home,[F] home from the[C] sea
Car[F]ry us safe[C]ly ho[G]me from the[C] sea.
[G]On a[C] cold winters night
With a storm at its height
The life[F]boat answered the[C] call.
They p[G]itched and they toss[C]ed
Till we thought they were[Am] lost
As we[D7] watched from the harbor[G] wall.
Though the[C] night was pitch black,
There was no turning back,
For some[F]one was waiting out[E7] there,
But each volun[F]teer
Had to[C] live with his fe[Am]ar
As they[D7] joined in a silent pra[G]yer.
[Repeat chorus]
As they battled their way
Past the mouth of the bay,
It was blowing like never before.
As they gallantly fought,
Every one of them thought
Of loved ones back on the shore.
Then a flicker of light
And they knew they were right.
There she was on the crest of a wave.
She's an old fishing boat
And she's barely afloat.
Please God, there are souls we can save.
CHORUS
And back in the town
In a street that runs down
To the sea and the harbor wall,
They'd gathered in pairs
At the foot of the stairs
To wait or the radio call.
And just before dawn
When all hope had gone
Came a hush and a faraway sound.
'Twas the coxswain he roared
All survivors on board
Thank God and we're homeward bound.
[Chorus]
From the album The Essential Liam Clancy’ and by Celtic Thunder. The Lyrics and chords below fit Liam Clancy’s version.
Slightly advanced chords: E7 (X-2-0-1-0-0), G7 (3-2-0-0-0-1), G6 (3-2-0-0-0-0), A7 (X-0-2-0-2-0), A6 (X-0-2-2-2-2)
Intro: C-F-C-G (all single strums) C-C-C-C (3/4 strumming pattern)
On a (C)cold winter's night, with a storm at its height
A (F)lifeboat answered the (C)call
They (G)pitched and they (C)tossed, 'til we (Em)thought they were (Am)lost
As we (Dm)watched from the (D)harbor (G)wall -G
Though the (C)night was pitch black, there was no turning back
For (F)someone was waiting out (E7)there
And (F)each volunteer had to (C)live with his (Am)fear
As they (Dm)joined in a (D)silent (G)prayer.-G7-G6
(G)Carry us (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Angels of (C)mercy, (Dm)answer our (G)plea -G7-G6
And (G)carry us (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Carry us (C)safely (Dm)home(G7) from the (C)sea
Bridge: C-F-C-G C-C-C-C
As they (C)battled their way past the mouth of the bay
It was (F)blowing like never be(C)fore
As they (G)gallantly (C)fought, every (Em)one of them (Am)thought
Of (Dm)loved ones (D)back on the (G)shore -G
Then a (C)flicker of light, and they knew they were right
There she (F)was on the crest of a (E7)wave
She's an (F)old fishing boat, and she's (C)barely a(Am)float
Please (Dm)God, there are (D)souls we can (G)save! -G7-G6
And (G)Carry them (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Angels of (C)mercy, (Dm)answer our (G)plea -G7-G6
And (G)carry us (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Carry us (C)safely (Dm)home(G7) from the (C)sea
Bridge: C-F-C-G C-F-C-G C-C-C-C
And (C)back in the town in a street that runs down
To the (F)sea and the harbor (C)wall
They had (G)gathered in (C)pairs at the (Em)foot of the (Am)stairs
To (Dm)wait for the (D)radio (G)call -G
And (C)just before dawn, when all hope was gone
Came a (F)hush and a faraway (E7)sound
'Twas the (F)coxswain he roared, "All sur(C)vivors on (Am)board!"
Thank (Dm)God, and we're (D)homeward (G)bound. -G7-G6
To (G)Carry them (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Angels of (C)mercy, (Dm)answer our (G)plea -G7-G6
And (G)carry them (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Carry them (C)safely (Dm)home(G7) from the (C)sea
Optional Change of key to D major: A-A7-A
(D)home, (G)home, home from the (D)sea
(G)Angels of (D)mercy, (Em)answer our (A)plea -A7-A6
And (A)carry them (D)home, (G)home, home from the (D)sea
(G)Carry them (D)safely (Em)home(A7) from the (D)sea
Outro: D-G-D-A D
Slightly advanced chords: E7 (X-2-0-1-0-0), G7 (3-2-0-0-0-1), G6 (3-2-0-0-0-0), A7 (X-0-2-0-2-0), A6 (X-0-2-2-2-2)
Intro: C-F-C-G (all single strums) C-C-C-C (3/4 strumming pattern)
On a (C)cold winter's night, with a storm at its height
A (F)lifeboat answered the (C)call
They (G)pitched and they (C)tossed, 'til we (Em)thought they were (Am)lost
As we (Dm)watched from the (D)harbor (G)wall -G
Though the (C)night was pitch black, there was no turning back
For (F)someone was waiting out (E7)there
And (F)each volunteer had to (C)live with his (Am)fear
As they (Dm)joined in a (D)silent (G)prayer.-G7-G6
(G)Carry us (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Angels of (C)mercy, (Dm)answer our (G)plea -G7-G6
And (G)carry us (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Carry us (C)safely (Dm)home(G7) from the (C)sea
Bridge: C-F-C-G C-C-C-C
As they (C)battled their way past the mouth of the bay
It was (F)blowing like never be(C)fore
As they (G)gallantly (C)fought, every (Em)one of them (Am)thought
Of (Dm)loved ones (D)back on the (G)shore -G
Then a (C)flicker of light, and they knew they were right
There she (F)was on the crest of a (E7)wave
She's an (F)old fishing boat, and she's (C)barely a(Am)float
Please (Dm)God, there are (D)souls we can (G)save! -G7-G6
And (G)Carry them (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Angels of (C)mercy, (Dm)answer our (G)plea -G7-G6
And (G)carry us (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Carry us (C)safely (Dm)home(G7) from the (C)sea
Bridge: C-F-C-G C-F-C-G C-C-C-C
And (C)back in the town in a street that runs down
To the (F)sea and the harbor (C)wall
They had (G)gathered in (C)pairs at the (Em)foot of the (Am)stairs
To (Dm)wait for the (D)radio (G)call -G
And (C)just before dawn, when all hope was gone
Came a (F)hush and a faraway (E7)sound
'Twas the (F)coxswain he roared, "All sur(C)vivors on (Am)board!"
Thank (Dm)God, and we're (D)homeward (G)bound. -G7-G6
To (G)Carry them (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Angels of (C)mercy, (Dm)answer our (G)plea -G7-G6
And (G)carry them (C)home, (F)home, home from the (C)sea
(F)Carry them (C)safely (Dm)home(G7) from the (C)sea
Optional Change of key to D major: A-A7-A
(D)home, (G)home, home from the (D)sea
(G)Angels of (D)mercy, (Em)answer our (A)plea -A7-A6
And (A)carry them (D)home, (G)home, home from the (D)sea
(G)Carry them (D)safely (Em)home(A7) from the (D)sea
Outro: D-G-D-A D
Home From The Sea Sheet Music Notes
Liam Clancy Song Home From The Sea Singer
