LURE OF THE SEA



When I was young and thought about my life

I wondered what the times they owed to me

My mother's love showed me what I would learn

Take no more than what my merit earned



In my town, the choices they were three

The oystering, the farming, and the sea

The land, for me, spoke of hardship and strife

And so I chose the bold seafaring life



Oh the lure, the lure allure allure

The lure and the calling of the sea

Well would I be one the shoreline with thee

Tending o' me own chandlery



I went to sea with silver pieces three

They slipped into the water from my hands

The mate, he said, "Make your mark upon the bow

And we'll fetch them out when we return to land"



I studied hard, the captain taught me well

No need to seek attractions on the shoreline

The hours were long and the work it was hard

But I was captain by the age of twenty-one





Storms, disease, and many lives were lost

Our anchor touched at many points of calling

Some tides ran smooth and high was the cost

But five and thirty years were worth it all



Now as I look back and think of many friends

How was it I escaped from Neptune's graveyard?

When beacon's glow I could no longer sight

Was then I quit the bold seafaring life



__________

by Jim Albertson assembled from the journals of Captain Alonzo

Bacon and set to the Broom of the Cowdenknowes

@sea

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