Hold that tiller matey

Hold that Tiller I been too many days at sea Got salt water in my veins I’m searching for the mountains While last light still remains Just hoping for some storm clouds To Bring on the drenching rain See the man upon the bouwsprit Arms locked round the pulpit Plunging deep beneath the waves his fingers work to unhook it Green water covers over him Determination focus tight The shackle finally comes loose And the sail releases Like a seabird in flight Hold the tiller hard he said Hold the tiller strong Keep and eye on that compass mate Or we two will be gone Clasping firmly to the rungs We climb up to the top The crows nest is our lookout watch The rolling sea don’t stop Then sing a song together mate Sing the song out loud For these are memories for life Of which I am so proud Hold the tiller hard he said Hold the tiller strong Keep and eye on that compass mate Or we two will be gone With bare feet on hot metal deck Above the engines roar We dance and prance a sailors jig While keeping to the course Hold the tiller hard he said Hold the tiller strong Keep and eye on that compass mate Or we two will be gone The lighter drifts across the sea Lagoon is like clear glass We stand each side of the steering oar And feather to the Pass The cargo ship sits off the reef Upon the gentle ocean With a smiling crew of Solomon boys Laughter and commotion The passage clear a rolling swell Takes us the to the ‘Ill de Lumiere’ We guide her in and catch the ropes Awaiting cargoes to prepare Hold the tiller hard he said Hold the tiller strong Keep and eye on that compass mate Or we two will be gone Five diesel drums Come swinging down And now we face some action Keep off the gunnel on the ship side mate Or else you’ll be in traction The big ship rolls and drums do sway A Deadly situation I dive away to deep blue depths And my choice is preservation Hold the tiller hard he said Hold the tiller strong Keep and eye on that compass mate Or we two will be gone Now Young One creams across the blue Her sails are full as she drives across the seas The auto pilot trims her motion And it’s cheese and bickies on the ocean As sun goes down and night creeps in Captain Morgs retires below A 3 hour watch before relief As black clouds gather and sails are reefed The wind has turned into a gale I pull the bucket, my face turns pale But steady mate, and brace the swells She’s a sturdy ship So ring four bells Hold the tiller hard he said Hold the tiller strong Keep and eye on that compass mate Or we two will be done Hold the tiller hard he said Haul the tiller down The mountains are appearing mate And we two will be home