"Lady Franklin's Lament" (a.k.a. "Lord Franklin") is a traditional ballad commemorating the loss of Sir John Franklin's British Arctic Expedition of 1845. It is attested as early as 1855, allegedly written by Jane Griffin (Lady Franklin), Sir John's widow. For other persons named John Franklin, see John Franklin (disambiguation). ... Jane Griffin (Lady Franklin) (4 December 1791 – 18 July 1875), was an early Tasmanian pioneer, traveller and second wife of the explorer John Franklin. ...

It has been recorded by numerous artists, including Martin Carthy, Pentangle, Sinéad O'Connor, the Pearlfishers, and as recently as 2007 by the Pyrates Royale.[1] The melody was also used for Bob Dylan's song "Bob Dylan's Dream", as well as David Wilcox's "Jamie's Secret". The 1981 song, "Northwest Passage" by Stan Rogers also recalls Franklin's expedition. Martin Carthy (born May 21, 1941) is an English folk singer and guitarist who has remained one of the most influential figures in British traditional music, inspiring later artists such as Bob Dylan and Richard Thompson since he emerged as a young musician in the early days of the folk... Pentangle is a British folk-rock band. ... Sinéad Marie Bernadette OConnor (born December 8, 1966) is a Grammy Award winning Irish singer and songwriter. ... Pearlfishers are a Glasgow-based rock band. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Bob Dylans Dream is a song written by Bob Dylan in 1962. ... David Wilcox. ... Northwest Passage is one of the best-known songs by a Canadian musician Stan Rogers. ... Stanley Allison Rogers (November 29, 1949 – June 2, 1983) was a Canadian folk musician and songwriter. ...

Lyrics

(Traditional)

(To the tune of "The Croppy Boy")

We were homeward bound one night on the deep

Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep

I dreamed a dream and I thought it true

Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew

With a hundred seamen he sailed away

To the frozen ocean in the month of May

To seek a passage around the pole

Where we poor sailors do sometimes go.

Through cruel hardships they vainly strove

Their ships on mountains of ice were drove

Only the Eskimo with his skin canoe

Was the only one that ever came through

In Baffin's Bay where the whale fish blow

The fate of Franklin no man may know

The fate of Franklin no tongue can tell

Lord Franklin with his sailors do dwell

And now my burden it gives me pain

For my long-lost Franklin I would cross the main

Ten thousand pounds I would freely give

To know on earth, that my Franklin do live.

(alternate: To know Lord Franklin and where he is.)