Below is a ballad composed by one of our authors, Stephen A. Carter, for the Galway Sailing Club located in Galway, Ireland.
Stephen is also the author of the four‑book Matari Series, a fact‑driven historical fiction saga that explores the U.S. Civil War and highlights the pivotal contributions of Black Americans to the conflict.
THE GALWAY HOOKER
Sleek fishing boat, red sails full blown
In foaming wake she cruised alone.
Upon her deck a lad did sway,
Kept looking back across the bay.
From Claddagh town his tearful bride,
Upon a dock stood tall and cried.
White hanky danced upon the wind,
As em’rald eyes upon him pinned.
To starboard bow Clare Hills rose high,
Through spray the hooker scudded by.
All sails lay taut before the blast,
Aboard a groom clung to a mast.
The Galway hooker flew away,
Across North Sound that fateful day.
From Inishmore to Rossavail,
That night o’er surf heard widows wail.
At dawn a body washed ashore,
Found by a pregnant paramour.
Today her ghost still haunts the scene,
And in the wind one hears her keen.
Refrain:
A Galway hooker sailed away,
And took her love across the bay.
A widow waits upon the shore.
Will she be pining evermore?
Hold on to your seat! Books here will have you biting your nails.




