I've sung this song for years, using Nick Jones' version from Penguin Eggs. When I heard Harry's version I was not moved to switch -- I prefer the looser feel Jones gives it. Can't even pretend to touch Jones' guitar work, so I deliver it a capella.

But Harry Robertson's "Whale Chasing Men" is a treasure: a collection of songs documenting a nearly dead (thank goodness) industry. Some day scholars will write theses about it, I've no doubt.

It's a shame that Nick Jones stiffed Harry on royalties for the two songs he recorded on "Penguin Eggs" (an award-winning album). If Harry'd ever gotten his hands on Nick he would've made the effects of Jones' accident look like a spa treatment.

I'm glad to hear that a CD of "Whale Chasing Men" is out; Andrew Robertson, Harry's son, talked about it some years ago. This collection deserves a much wider audience than it's had.

By the way, if you want to understand the milieu of the South Atlantic whaling songs Harry wrote (Wee Pot Stove, Antarctic Fleet, Blubber Laddies, etc.) read "Of Whales and Men" by R.B.Robertson (no relation), published in 1954 by Alfred A. Knopf.

Be well,

Jerry