(HogarthKellyMosleyRotheryTrewavas)

[Dedicated to Don Allum, and the Ocean Rowers]



He's seen too much of life

And there's no going back

The loneliness calls him

And the edge which must be sharpened

He's losing it. And he knows.

But there's a fighter in his mind and his body's tough

The years have been unkind but kind enough



The smell of the earth

It's his favourite smell

But he's somehow compelled to the stinging salt hell

To the place where he hurts and he's scared

And there's no one to tell

And no one who doesn't listen



"You can take all the boys and the girls in the world

And I'll trade them this morning for my sweet Ocean Cloud

I've seen too much of life

So the sea is my wife and a sweet Ocean Cloud is a mistress I'm allowed

for now."



"You can take all the boys and the girls in the world

I wouldn't trade them this morning for my sweet Ocean Cloud

I've seen too much of life

So the sea is my wife and a sweet ocean cloud is a mistress I'm allowed

for now."



"Only me and the sea

We will do as we please."



He remembers the day he was marched to the front

By the physical knuckle head teacher of games

"Look lads" he declared, "This boy's a cream puff

No guts and no muscles

No spine and no stuffing"

The whole schoolroom sniggered

And silently thanked God it wasn't them..



But time is revenge. All the bullies grow weak

And must live with faithless women who despise them

I'll be in Barbados in a couple of weeks

With a rum on the table and yarns by the yard

A story to tell and a story to save

..unless she changes her mind

I'll trade them this morning for my sweet Ocean Cloud-