Déanta, 'Ready for the storm': the song of a lonely sailor in the middle of a storm

I have been a fan of folk and Celtic music for many years and have a large collection of records in that style and from different sources.

'Siúil a Rúin': the Ukrainian version of a beautiful Irish ballad about love and war
'The Wayfaring Stranger', the story of the beautiful Christian song from the movie '1917'

Among the songs of Irish origin that I have in my collection, there is one that I often remember. It is called "Ready for the storm" and was recorded by the Northern Irish group Déanta in 1994, covering a song published by the Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean in 1983. I first heard Déanta's version and I recognize that the voice of its vocalist, Mary Dillon, gives a magical touch to this song.

This song is about a lonely sailor sailing through a storm. It is a song that captures the hard life of the sea, something that sailors from Ireland and other countries bathed by that powerful giant that is the Atlantic Ocean know very well. I remember this song on days of gales and storms (in all kinds of storms). Here you can listen to Déanta's version:

And since he wrote and composed the song, I think it's only fair to include Dougie MacLean's original version here as well:

These are the lyrics of the song:

The waves crash in and the tide pulls out,
It's an angry sea, but there is no doubt
That the lighthouse will keep shining out,
To warn the lonely sailor.

And the lightning strikes and the wind cuts cold
Through the sailor's bones, to the sailor's soul,
Til there's nothing left that he can hold,
Except the rolling ocean.

But, I am ready for the storm,
Yes sir, ready,
I am ready for the storm,
I'm ready for the storm.

Oh, give me mercy for my dreams
Cause every confrontation seems to tell me
what it really means
to be this lonely sailor.

But when the sky begins to clear,
The sun it melts away my fear,
I'll cry a silent, weary tear
For those that need to love me.

But, I am ready for the storm,
Yes sir, ready,
I am ready for the storm,
I'm ready for the storm.

Distance, it is no real friend,
And time will take its time,
And you will find that in the end,
It brings you me the lonely sailor.

And when you take me by your side,
You love me warm, you love me
And I should have realised,
I had no reasons to be frightened.

And I am ready for the storm,
Yes sir, ready,
I am ready for the storm,
Yes sir, ready,
I am ready for the storm,
Yes sir, ready,
I am ready for the storm,
I'm ready for the storm.

---

Photo: Joel Bengs.