“Let Her Go Down” stands out as a compelling track within Steeleye Span’s extensive repertoire, a band celebrated for their innovative approach to British folk music. First appearing on their 1980 album Sails of Silver, this song quickly became a staple for fans, showcasing the group’s ability to blend traditional narratives with their distinctive musical style. The song’s narrative of maritime disaster and stoic acceptance has resonated deeply, further cemented by its inclusion in various live performances and subsequent recordings.
The Journey of “Let Her Go Down”: From Album to Stage
Steeleye Span’s commitment to “Let Her Go Down” is evident in its repeated appearances across different phases of their career. Initially released as a B-side to their single “Gone to America”, also from Sails of Silver, the track quickly gained its own recognition. A live rendition captured at the Royal Opera Theatre in Adelaide, Australia in 1982 offered fans a different dimension to the song, later made available on the Australian-exclusive LP On Tour. For enthusiasts seeking to experience the song in a live setting, the 25 Live: The Classic Twenty Fifth Anniversary Tour Concert video, recorded in Cardiff in 1994, features another powerful performance from St. David’s Hall. Demonstrating its enduring appeal, Steeleye Span revisited “Let Her Go Down” for their Present CD in 2002, coinciding with their reunion tour, proving its timeless quality within their discography.
Unpacking the Lyrics of “Let Her Go Down”
The lyrics of “Let Her Go Down” paint a vivid picture of a ship caught in a devastating storm, highlighting themes of bravery, inevitability, and the harsh realities of life at sea. The song unfolds with a first-person narrative, drawing listeners into the heart of the tempest.
Steeleye Span – “Let Her Go Down” Lyrics
Sometime in October
We sailed from New England’s shore
When we sailed into a raging storm
Like I’ve never ever seen before
And all of the crew, they were brave men
But the captain, he was braver
He said: “Never mind the ship, me boys
There’s none of us here can save her”
Chorus:
Let her go down
Swim for your lives
Swim for your children
Swim for your wives
But let her go down
Just let her go down
Lost in the open ocean
There were some of the crew and me
While the captain steered our wounded ship
To the bottom of an angry sea
And with his dying breath we all heard him say
“Just the fortunes of a sailor”
And he said: “Never mind the ship, me boys
There’s none of us here can save her”
He wondered if his shipmates were ready just to pray and give in
So he called their names out one by one
But there was no-one else around but him
He saw the ship go down in the fading light
And he knew they couldn’t save her
He said: “The captain lied when the captain cried
There’s none of us here can save her”
A Note on the Song’s Evolution
Peter Knight’s website offers an interesting insight into the song’s development. The original demo version of “Let Her Go Down” featured a different final verse. However, when the song was considered for single release, this verse was modified to better suit Maddy Prior’s vocal delivery. This change underscores the collaborative and adaptive nature of Steeleye Span’s creative process, ensuring the song’s lyrical and vocal impact.
The altered verse, as noted by Peter Knight, originally read:
I wondered if my shipmates
Had been lost in that rolling sea
So I called their names out one by one
But there was no one else around but me
And as that ship went down in the fading light
I knew we could have saved her
The captain lied when the captain cried “There’s none of us here can save her”
This glimpse into the song’s evolution reveals the subtle yet significant adjustments made in crafting the final version of “Let Her Go Down,” highlighting the attention to detail that Steeleye Span brought to their music. “Let Her Go Down”, in its final form, remains a powerful testament to the band’s artistry and their ability to connect with listeners through compelling narratives and evocative melodies.
