Shchedryk (Cover)

Oh Christmas Eve, the night fell fast, The wind came sharp and sore, The sea stood up and barred our way Like it owned the door. Owned the door! Owned the door! The cook cried out, “The goose is cold If we don’t make the quay!” The waves just laughed and kicked us back Like bullies in the sea. Heave, lads, heave, you won’t stop us now! We’ve got plates to fill tonight! Jump the wake, split the foam, Run her straight through spite! You can howl and roar and tear the sky, Do your worst, you brute But storms don’t scare us half as bad As wives in a Christmas mood! Wind to port! Sea to starboard! Hold her HOLD HER A silver song rose off the bow, All sweet and soft and slow, Promising rest and warmer arms Than any port we know. Nice try! Not tonight! We plugged our ears with tar and fear And shouted through the spray: “You’ve got no gravy, missy dear So kindly drift away!” Heave, lads, heave, don’t hear that tune! That song’s a lying snare! She’ll steal your soul and sink your ship, Then vanish from the fare! I’ll take my chances with the deep, With thunder, rope, and plate But I won’t face my wife’s two eyes If I come home late! Wake ahead! Crossing seas! White water DON’T YOU FREEZE The storm threw fists of water high And swore we’d go below, The Kraken rose, cracked one great eye, And laughed at us, you know. Laugh it up! Watch us eat! We jumped the wake where currents fought, Where sane ships turn and plead, The keel went light, the world went mad Then snapped back home with speed. Heave, lads, heave, you lost this round! We bent, but didn’t break! You kept us out, you mocked and roared We jumped your cursed wake! Even Kraken laughs can’t hold us fast, Nor siren, storm, nor gale There’s dinner steaming on that dock, And that’s a stronger sail! Bread on wood… Fire bright… Still together… Home tonight… Heave! Heave! HEAVE! The storm can laugh. The Kraken too. Shit, not this port. Not this wife... But... We’re eating.