Old Sam

Verse 1 Old Sam wakes with the tide in his eyes, Weathered hands, and a lifetime of lies. The sea whispers promises he can’t ignore, Feeding his belly but aching his core. Verse 2 He casts his nets where the waters run deep, Counting the waves while the gulls wheel and sweep. The wind is a song, the storm is a thief, Stealing his peace, bringing him grief. Chorus Oh Sam, the sea is your lover and foe, It lifts you high and drags you low. You ride the waves, you fight the storm, In its embrace, you’re safe and worn. Oh Sam, the sea holds your heart and bones, In every splash, you hear its tones. Verse 3 He remembers the girl with the hair like fire, She laughed at his tales, he dreamed of her desire. But the sea took her away in a sailor’s grin, Left him alone with the salt and wind. Verse 4 He loves the dawn when the water turns gold, Hates the night when the waves are cold. Every haul, every catch, a gift and a curse, Every storm, a story, every calm, a verse. Chorus Oh Sam, the sea is your lover and foe, It lifts you high and drags you low. You ride the waves, you fight the storm, In its embrace, you’re safe and worn. Oh Sam, the sea holds your heart and bones, In every splash, you hear its tones. Bridge (spoken, Dylan-style) “Boy,” he says to no one at all, “The sea gives, the sea takes, the sea calls. You can’t run, you can’t hide, you can’t pray, You just live… another day.” Final Chorus Oh Sam, the sea is your lover and foe, It lifts you high and drags you low. You ride the waves, you fight the storm, In its embrace, you’re safe and worn. Oh Sam, the sea holds your heart and bones, In every splash, you hear its tones. Outro (soft guitar and harmonica) Sam walks the shore, his eyes on the tide, Loving and hating, forever allied.