NO MORE A SAILOR    © Duane Thompson, 2003

A sea-shanty.

1.  Turn away, turn away from the howling gale, there's sure to be
     A harbour safe from a mighty sea, maybe an estuary
     I'm too young die on a rolling deck as waves break free
     Make haste, make haste our captain cried, for we are lost at sea
     Chorus:
     No more a sailor, far from shore
     No more a sailor, me

2.  Cast off, cast off that cargo dear, the wind howls more
     Bend your backs you likely lads till your hands grow sore
     The yard arm's down, the mizzen's rent, none to procure
     And still there is no end in sight as the forties roar

3.  Lookout, look out, the main mast's down, cut the rigging clear
     The anchor's gone, we've got rags for sails, we can not steer
     Our captain's dead, the bosun drowned, we got naught to fear
     And I can't swim, for I've lost a leg in the winding gear

4.  Pull away; pull away from our sinking ship is the sailor's cry
     No more a deck to walk upon or a cabin dry
     On a tiny raft in a monstrous sea, I'm afraid we'll die
     Upon the rocks as we round the Horn, bid a last goodbye