The Young Man and the Sea

[Credits: Lyrics are by me] [Note: This is a true story. I caught a 620 pound "Giant" Bluefin Tuna. The fight took just shy of 2 hours and was one of the toughest things I've ever done] [Note: And yes, that is an actual picture of me with the fish from the local paper] [intro] Standing on the dock before the sun even thinks about showing The water is so flat, I think it senses where we're going We won't see land again until the sun begins to set Distant ships on the horizon - the moon providing silhouettes [break] [verse] The land slowly moves into the distance as we begin our trek I watch it fade away while drinking coffee on the deck We'll spend all morning heading where the ocean's canyon cuts so deep So early in the morning and I've had so little sleep The moon and stars provide the light we see while chatting away More stars up there than anyone could ever say Slight glowing on the horizon is our first sign of the sun We're almost to the spot where our tale will be spun [break] [pre-chorus] The droning of the engine in the background as we troll Diesel exhaust mixed with mackerel odors filling the air The sun gives sparkles on the building waves that roll Bob Marley playing keeps it light, removing any cares [chorus] The outriggers spread our lines to create the illusion So much bait that a tuna should see it as a school The waves continue building as the day is wearing on Waiting for the call to say we've got one on the spool [instrumental interlude] [verse] The Wailers sing that they are Jammin' the call comes out that a fish is on It's the thing that we have all been waiting for I grab the rod and get strapped into the chair Hoping that the huge fish doesn't know yet that we're there I lean forward, turn the reel a few times, then push back with my legs It's a lot like rowing against a current that you can't defeat Every time I think I'm gaining ground against this giant beast With ease the fish just swims away, like a shadow in the deep [break] [bridge] The fight goes on for hours - I feel that we're locked in a war Adrenaline is keeping me going, sweat drips into my eyes My buddies cheer but I think I'm seeing doubt in their faces If I lose this fight, next time I'll hear the stories on the shore He's finally so close that I can see him just beneath the waves I'm praying that he's too tired to run again We get him on the boat, my muscles screaming with pain I’ve never felt more alive than in that struggle's victory [break] [chorus] Over six hundred pounds, it was a giant of the sea This bluefin is so massive, it's really hard to believe The battle took so long, but in the end I reigned supreme That catch was something way beyond what I thought I'd achieve [instrumental interlude] [outro] Looking at my watch I see it's barely nine AM I rest my head, the boat and waves rock me to sleep Dreaming of the sea and the challenge that I faced The ocean's song envelopes me until we reach the shore again [end]