OLD ZEB



by Larry Kaplan



I'm not tired of the wind, I'm not weary of the sea,

But she's prob'ly had a bellyfull of a damned old coot like me.

I'm bound a-shore, she's gone for better days,

But I'll see her topsail flyin' when I come down off the way.



Chorus:



Rosie, get my Sunday shoes,

Gertie get my walkin' cane;

We'll take another walk to see

Old Alice sail again.



Wish I had a nickel for the men I used to know

Who could load three cords of lumber in half an hour or so.

Who could put sail be hauling, 'stead of donkeyin' around.

Then I' d be the poorest coasterman this side of Edgartown.



Any fool can run an engine, it takes brains to work a sail,

I've never seen no steamer make much good out of a gale.

You can go and pay your taxes on the rationed gas you get;

But at least to me, the wind is free, and they haven't run out yet.



If I ever get back to her, you know I'd treat her just the same:

Drive her when I want to, I'd sail in freezing rain.

Park old Alice on the beach, and go dancin' in the town,

Cause a man who's fit for hangin' prob'ly never will get drowned.



Learned from Bob Walser, Indian Neck, 1984

(who got it from Bruce Thompson)



The song concerns Capt. Zebulon Tilton, who skippered the

schooner Alice B. Wentworth out of Vinyard Haven. He retired at

age 83; Rosie and Gertie were his daughters. The song appears on

"Cap'n Hawkins' Choice" ( Winter Haven Records).

@sailor @age

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