Sadness from the sea

· by · in ballad, dVerse. ·

A story ’bout the sailor’s life
he had the sweetest girl
In happiness his trust he gave
while she seduced an earl

He built a cottage close to sea
it was the sweetest place
he asked her and proposed
to marry not to chase.

And she accepted, oh what joy
they shared a bed of bliss
but sailors need to leave for wage
he left her with a kiss

And every time he left for sea
while she enjoyed in town
she sang and danced ‘till midnight hour
and in debase fell down

The sailor bought a diamond ring
to surprise her at their home
in joy, he from the harbor ran
when on the seas he’d roamed

But he surprised her in the act
of enjoyment in their bed
her end was dark, a dagger drawn
in flood of blood… she’s dead

This song now ends in minor tune
our sailor guilty bends
to the hangman’s bitter verdict
when in his noose he ends.

but it was told that every year
in shadows dark, a boy
is searching for his missing lass
as what he lost was joy.

and it is further told, the girl
lamented in her grave
“why did I steal my sailor’s soul
to turn us into slaves?”

Generated with ChatGPT

Today I am hosting dVerse where I challengo you to write a ballad.

July 23, 2026

13 responses to “Sadness from the sea”

  1. Now I’ve read your sadness from the sea, Björn, I think I might not have read the prompt correctly. I love the rhythm and rhyming in your ballad, and the way it shifts from a sweet love story to a murderous drama and ghost story.

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  5. A sad ballad indeed. Aye the lure o tho’ sweet maiden fair…it’ll get you into trouble evertime 🥂

    Well done and loved the beat…time to break out my guitar.
    💚

  6. OH MY! All it took was your rolicking verse to inspire the tune I imagined !!!! I visualize a roust-about strumming his guitar in a pub thoroughly enchanting his audience. Though it isn’t a tail of pure lightness and joy, I loved every single line. Love the challenge, Bjorn.

  10. I could imagine The Dubliners rendering this one in another pub, Björn…

    The illustration made me smile…

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