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& the Sea | |
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Pea Soup It came upon us during the middle watch, And lasted the whole day long. A thick eerie mist drifted over the deck, A ship that sailed alone. The deck was damp as were the sails. Drops dripped from the shrouds. For all those hours and hours. Moisture filled the Captain's beard, I saw him wipe his chin. Silently we sat by our guns, All of us brave men. The crew on watch stood by the wheel. Someone rang the bell, The lookouts stood at their post. A blind ship rose and fell. It's not strange a silent prayer, Was prayed to our God. Would he keep us in his hand, 'Till he lifted this fog? Copyright Michael Aye Becalmed The sun is high, And the sea is flat. We rowed these boats, 'Till we've broke our backs. The towline there, She's hanging slack. We need some wind in our sails. So, Blow! Blow! You mighty wind! Been gone too long. Time to come back again. I call to you like a long lost friend. Won't ya fill our sails? Copyright Michael Aye |
Storm at Sea The lightning flashes, the thunder rolls. The sea is heavy, the wind is cold. I look around, all I see- Are weary souls, about to freeze.
It's a rainy day a' sea; Been this way almost a week. The sky is gray, and I am, too. Wondering if I'll get home to you.
Yesterday morn' we lost the cook. We never found him, we couldn't even look. The rain keeps falling hard on this deck, There's not a dry place, it's all soaking wet.
It's a rainy day a' sea; Been this way almost a week. The sky is gray, and I am, too. Wondering if I'll make it home to you.
We need some sunshine, a sky o' blue; To warm our souls to see us thru. But the sky is gray and I am, too. Wishing I was at home, sitting by you. Copyright Michael Aye Skylarking
Searching for fresh air. The crew gathering on deck, And stared out in awe; As the
They drank down their ration, And lit up their pipes. The master had promised, Another scorching night. Copyright Michael Aye |
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Lonely Hearts | |
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Sunken Love
He told that he loved her, He'd be gone, but not for long. And if she watched the beaches, She'd see his sails coming home.
They say it was a hurricane,
Took her man and drowned their dreams. Just another victim, A ship lost on the sea.
But if you go down to
Along the shoreline late that night, You can hear a young girl's voice, Above the rushing tide. And if you go down to the beach, There's footprints in the sand. Where she walks the Savannah Beaches, Waiting for her man. Copyright Michael Aye He Whispered Softly
He whispered softly and he told her, Lay your head down on my shoulder. I'll be gentle, so don't you worry, But time's so short we have to hurry.
Tomorrow morn my ship must sail.
The time is now for our farewell. But I'll be back someday, you'll see. Now the drums are calling me.
Dry your tears, no need in crying.
Even though they say I'm dying. You know my battles are fought and won, And you have my baby son.
He whispered softly and he told her,
Lay your head down on my shoulder. I'll be gentle, so don't you worry, But time's so short we have to hurry. Copyright Michael Aye |
A Woman's Lonely Heart
You don't have to tell me, I've come to understand. Takes a certain kind of woman, To love a sailing man. I tried to make you love me, You tried to find the spark. But, a ship that sails, Kills the flames in a lonely heart.
Copyright Michael Aye Sailor's Farewell (HMS SeaWolf)
The day is dark and dreary, I can smell the rain. I'm sailing with the tide. Will I stand the pain? Teary eyed she waves goodbye, Watching as I go. It's a conflict of emotion,
Waging war in my soul. Copyright Michael Aye Return to Port
Rain falls when it wants to, Like the wind that fills our sail. When we said our farewells. Her memory's like a dagger, The blade, cold and sharp. All the nights I walked these decks, With a lonely aching heart. Tomorrow we'll return to port; This cruise is finally over. She'll be standing on the pier, Waiting for me to hold her. |
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& Iron Men | |
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The Prize
Yonder ships a privateer, With men and guns a plenty. What say you my brave men- Shall we take this enemy? Reduce all sail! Run out the guns! Put one across her bow! Yonder ship will be our prize, Before the quarter hour.
Copyright Michael Aye Battle Fatigue
I take a breath and look around me, I'm grateful to be alive. The guns, they're all silent now, But, the smoke still burns my eyes. It takes a heavy toll. It burns like rum going down, To an empty, aching soul. Copyright Michael Aye |
Duty
They sanded down the decks; The guns were all run out. "Let's give them what for lads!" They heard the Cap'n shout. The talk of duty and honour, Meant little to the crew. They fought for their mates, And perhaps a prize or two. Copyright Michael Aye The Watch (HMS SeaWolf)
The officer of the deck, Peered thru a blinding snow. They'd just turned the glass, Half an hour left to go. Then the rattle of muskets, Shouts- Then something explodes. Turning to the mid he cursed. Just our luck don't ya know. Copyright Michael Aye |
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An Ole Salt
I'm writing you this letter, There's things I gotta say. The innocent boy that sailed away, Returns a worldly man today.
It was a mighty warship, On her rolls I signed my name. After thirty years at sea, It's saltwater that fills my veins.
I fought the wind -n- weather; I battled a raging sea. Round after round I fired the big guns, As men died around me.
I tasted wine in many a port. Read letters 'till my heart yearned. Many's the night I smoked my pipe, While sitting on the stern.
They tell me now I must retire; My able days are done. And what the sea took away, The sea now returns. Copyrighted Micheal Aye
`Hit were like a roaring inferno- The fires `o `ell so bright. Flames leaping upwards, Like fireworks in the night.
`Hit started on the main deck, Quick like it climbed the mast. The sails be ablaze now, The flame `as spread so fast.
`Hits set a course for the flagship Less some `ow it’s turned. The only choice Jack tar `as Is jump ship or burn. Copyrighted Micheal Aye Return to the Top |
The Gun Captain The Cap'n yells- "Fire!" The guns leap as one. Round after round, We worked 'um 'till we's numb.
I smells the stench 'o powder, I's blinded by the smoke. It hurts me chest to breathe, It makes me cough and choke.
I felt the ship shudder, They's scored another hit. A gun be overturned; The main mast is split.
Broadside after broadside, That last 'un were the worse. I see the chaplain praying, I 'urd the bosun curse.
I steals a look about me, So many mates lay dead. The thunder from the guns, Echoes thru me head.
I 'ear the word, "cease fire." Yonder ship 'as struck. I give a sigh and wipes me face, A victory cheer goes up.
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