Old Sailors
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Old sailors sit and chew the fat 'bout how things used to be Of the things I've seen and places I've been When I ventured out to sea. They remember friends from long ago and the times I had back then of the money they've spilled and the beer I've swilled In the days as sailing men. Their lives are lived in days gone by with thoughts that forever last of cracker-jack hats and bell-bottom blues and the good times in my past. They recall long nights with a moon so bright far out on a lonely sea and the thoughts they had as youthful lads When our lives were unbridled and free. They know so well how our hearts would swell when the flag fluttered proud and free and the stars and the stripes made such beautiful sights as they plowed through an angry sea. They talk of the bread ole' cookie would bake and the shrill of the bosun's pipe and how the salt spray fell like sparks out of hell When a storm struck in the night. They remember mates already gone who forever hold a spot In the stories of old when sailors were bold and lubbers were a pitiful lot. They rode their ships through many a storm when the sea was showing its might And the mighty waves might be digging our graves as they sailed on through the night. They speak of nights in a bawdy house somewhere on a foreign shore and the beer we'd down as they gathered around cracking jokes with a busty whore. Their sailing days are gone away Never more will I cross the brow But I have no regrets for I know I've been blessed 'cause they honored the sacred vow. Their numbers grow less with each passing day as their chits in this life are called in But we've nothing to lose for they've all paid the dues and they'll sail with their shipmates again. I've heard them say before getting underway that there's still some sailin' to do and I'll exclaim with a grin that their ship has come in and the Lord is commanding the crew. © 2001-05 Larry Dunn Used here with his permission |