Bound East for Cardiff

1914

Paul, a Norwegian sailor in the fo'c'sle of the tramp freighter S.S. Glencairn, has a battered accordion that he plays as the action begins to the sound of the ships whistle and the casual talk of the crew.  As Driscoll's shipmate, the dying Yank, groans in pain, Driscoll turns on Paul and demands silence.  Paul stops playing and music is heard no more in the small tragedy.  O'Neill did not specify a tune, but a folk melody is included here that was used in the José Quintero radio production of the play.

(Sitting on the top bunk...a Norwegian, Paul, is playing some folksong on a battered accordion.  He stops from time to time to listen to the conversation.)  Driscoll—(gets up and shakes his fist at the Norwegian.)  God stiffen you, ye square-head scut!  Put down that organ av yours or I'll break your ugly face for you.  Is that banshee screechin' fit music for a sick man?  [I, 187, 190]

När ljusen skall tändas därhemma (When the Lights Are Lit Back Home) - traditional

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