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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
What magic do you possess, To make a man sail your waters? In the face of Death. 'O you mighty Ocean.
Mighty, mighty ocean- So vast and so deep. Do you know how many times, You've made a widow weep? 'O you mighty Ocean.
Spell of The Deep To sail away from all he loves
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 gathered 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.
Last night a voice called to me
So I got up, walked to the beach
The wind did howl, the waves crashed in
I thought about the countless men
Who died trying to keep the ship afloat
The cries I hear is their ghost.
He waved goodbye when they set sail
Got caught up in a fearsome gale.
Sometimes the sea demands a price;
Another sailor gives up his life.
He joins his mate in a watery grave,
I hear their voices calling to be saved.
So blow, blow,
You wind and you rain;
A lee shore or a hurricane.
Will the ship take the strain?
Or is it going down?
Will another sailor drown?
Copyright Michael Aye
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Lonely Hearts | ||
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ODE TO ROSALYND AND KYDD
It was such a sunny day Making plans for her wedding day A short cruise to
For her rig.
The sexton said, “A black squall blew Sank the ship took Rosalynd too And when they told him… Kydd, he just went crazy.
Said it ain’t fair…she died too soon Our love…was just a bloom But death tore the petals… All away.
Tell me Renzi what do I do I feel like…I been run thru When I close my eyes… I see her face.
Grog on my breath…shaky hands Dreams are drowned…I’m a desperate man All I got left…is you friend… And the jealous sea,
It took her from me.
Copyright Michael Aye Sunken Love 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
You broke my heart,
Time and time again.
I lost count,
Of all your men.
But tonight,
It’s gonna end.
I’m tired of your cheating ways.
The Captain said,
He had a place for me.
On the morning tide,
We’d put to sea.
He gave me a list,
Of things I’d need.
The voyage was going to be long.
I told her,
I had work come in.
I’d be home,
But I didn’t know when.
I gave it an hour,
Then I snuck in.
I ended their cheating days.
From the deck,
I can see a glow.
The flames of hell,
Continue to grow.
When they are out
No one will know;
That one of them ain’t me.
Copyright Michael Aye
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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. Copyright Michael Aye I's a sailing man,
Left her crying on the pier, When we put out to sea. Now every night I walk these decks, ‘Cause I can’t go to sleep.
Every time I close my eyes, I can see her face. Makes me wonder if her love, Is nothing but a waste.
My heart so empty, When she is not around. And if she needed help, Where would it be found.
There’s weeds growing in the yard
Paint…is peeling off the boards
There is just an empty space
Where once…there hung a door.
The old lady from across the way
Said those folks…They’re long gone.
The press gang took him away.
She waited…’till the baby came along.
She didn’t know where they went
But the Vicar… he might know.
I said thank you …picked up my bag
And headed down that lonesome road.
I recall those happy days
She would laugh…and sing me songs.
But that was fifteen years ago,
Now everything…I care about…is gone.
I came home to see my family
God it’s been way too long
I came home to see my family
I wish I knew where they had gone.
I pulled my collar closer
There’s a chill in the air
I’ll travel to her mother’s place
I hope she’ll be there.
*Dedicated to all the men who were caught by the Press Gang and were taken from their families. Some of which were never heard from again.
Copyright Michael Aye
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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.
I stands here confused, Me heads in a fog. Can't finds me ship, Damn that ole grog.
Me eyes be awash, Me timbers not steady. I tries to walk down, This heaving old Jetty.
There be a boatman, He'll carry me out; For a shilling or two, The larcenous old lout!
The mighty ship entered port,
Copyright Michael Aye
Newgate Jig
Better he'd been struck down
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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.
I walked out of Whitehall, Had my orders in my hand. I saw this ragged shell,
The man listened quietly
Gone were some mates
We're headed for home lads
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