Known as something of a classic in Canada, “Flowers of Bermuda” by singer Stan Rogers is a song that explores Bermuda’s maritime history, while acknowledging the sheer romanticism of the island and its natural beauty.
The song tells the tale of the fictional ship Nightingale, a coal-carrying vessel that departed from Scotland en route to America in the 1800s.
After making its way into the North Atlantic via the River Clyde, the Nightingale commences a 21 day trip that to Bermuda that is destined to end, by songwriter Rogers’ own hand, in disaster.
Nearing the end of their last day of travel, with only five hours of sailing left to reach the Bermudian shore, the ship’s watchman warns of breakers ahead.
Too late, the captain attempts to bring the ship around, and the Nightingale runs aground, causing massive damage to the vessel.
In an act of heroic altruism, the captain allows the crew to take his own personal lifeboat as those set aside for the crew have been destroyed. The captain himself remains aboard, drowning there off of the coast of Bermuda as he sinks with his ship.
The song’s name derives from the point in the story at which the captain believes he can smell the flowers of Bermuda from the location of his watery grave, along with the chorus, which is sung, “Oh, there be flowers in Bermuda, beauty lies on every hand, and there be laughter, ease, and drink for every man, but there is no joy for me.”
Written and performed by Stan Rogers, one of Canada’s most iconic folk singers, the song stands as a tribute to Bermuda and its allure as a stopping point for sailors the world over.
For their part, Bermudian flowers are known to be beautiful and fragrant, inspiring music from not only Stan Rogers, but John Lennon, as well.
Rogers died when he was only 33 years old, dying in an airplane fire on June 2, 1983. He was returning to Canada when the plane made an emergency landing at Cincinnati’s airport. A fire broke out after landing, and all 23 passengers still inside, including Rogers, were killed.
The lyrics of ‘The Flowers Of Bermuda’
He was the Captain of the Nightingale
Twenty-one days from Clyde in coal
He could smell the flowers of Bermuda in the gale
When he died on the North Rock shoalJust five short hours from Bermuda,
In a fine October gale
There came a cry “Oh, there be breakers dead ahead!”
From the collier NightingaleNo sooner had the Captain brought her round,
Came a rending crash below
Hard on her beam ends, groaning, went the Nightingale
And overside her mainmast goes“Oh, Captain, are we all for drowning?”
Came the cry from all the crew
“The boats be smashed! How then are we all to be saved?
They are stove in through and through!”“Oh, are ye brave and hardy collier-men
Or are ye blind and cannot see?
The Captain’s gig still lies before ye whole and sound,
It shall carry all o’ we.”Here we go!
He was the Captain of the Nightingale
Twenty-one days from Clyde in coal
He could smell the flowers of Bermuda in the gale
When he died on the North Rock shoalBut when the crew was all assembled
And the gig prepared for sea,
‘Twas seen there were but eighteen places to be manned
Nineteen mortal souls were weBut cries the Captain “Now do not delay,
Nor do ye spare a thought for me.
My duty is to save you all now, if I can.
See ye return as quick as can be.”He was the Captain of the Nightingale
Twenty-one days from Clyde in coal
He could smell the flowers of Bermuda in the gale
When he died on the North Rock shoalOh, there be flowers in Bermuda
Beauty lies on every hand,
And there be laughter, ease and drink for every man,
But there is no joy for meFor when we reached the wretched Nightingale
What an awful sight was plain!
The Captain, drowned, was tangled in the mizzen-chains
Smiling bravely beneath the seaHe was the Captain of the Nightingale
Twenty-one days from Clyde in coal
He could smell the flowers of Bermuda in the gale
When he died on the North Rock shoalHe was the Captain of the Nightingale
Twenty-one days from Clyde in coal
He could smell the flowers of Bermuda in the gale
When he died on the North Rock shoalHe was the Captain of the Nightingale
Twenty-one days from Clyde in coal
He could smell the flowers of Bermuda in the gale
When he died on the North Rock shoal
