Russell Tanner went to sea

Russell Tanner went to sea
he was a lad of twenty three
he cast a glance across the bay
the sun arose at break of day

he, unemployed, no job in sight

he signed his name to make things right
he sought adventure wild and free

and learn the worlds geography

up the narrow gang he strode
and on his back his duffle rode
the air was cold with morning damp
as he stepped off the gangway ramp

there was not one aboard he knew
among the wretched nameless crew
the captain was of some acclaim
o'er 20 years he'd made a name

along the dim lights yellow cast
he made his way past mizzen mast

in quarters dim he stowed his kit
twas all he owned - the lot of it

upon 3 bells the bos'n blew
and onto deck assembled crew
and from the quarter deck there came
the calling of each sailor's name

the ship was undermanned at best

the ownership would stand the test

but in the end twas gold that won

so curse the eyes of sailor scum

and now me boy's the captain cried
it's right aloft and damn your hide
be quick upon the ratlines wet
be keen of mind when sails are set

they went aloft and loosed the sails
the lines belayed upon the rails
the ship slipped past the wharf and shore
and headed out to sea once more

when out asea there is no joy
for captains bold nor cabin boy
nor any  hardened sailor tar
whose life is spent by sail and star

on evening seas when stars amass
in idle conversation t'was asked
what chance fetched ye to sail the sea

says Russell tis the life for me

the wizened in the crew did smirk

for be'n, a tar, it meant hard work

this young'uns hand were clean and soft

and their'n were rough from toil aloft

bearing south by east before the wind

to round the cape at twa month end

the old ship dug in deep a'prow

and pitched in ancient rhythm now

three weeks of climbing up the lines

to trim the sails t'was most unkind

his hands were stiff and cut and sore

his feet would suffer all and more

yet he toiled without complaint

tho in his mind he was no saint

he cursed his fate now 'neath his breath

he felt his choice t'would be his death

one rainy night right after grog

with deck as slippery as a frog

in sudden fury, rain and gales

a call was made to furl topsals

again aloft young Russell climbed

the driving rain near made him blind

the rattlins were ungodly slick

and gain aloft were nae so quick

the auld ship pitched and rolled aboot

t'was beastly hard to gain a foot

boot halfway up his hands lost grip

and down he tumbled on the ship

the rains slick deck was nigh awash

when Russell landed with a crush

before he hit he grabbed a line

it slowed him down and most in time

he rolled o're to the bulwark side

and thru the scupper a scene he eyed

'twas dreadful fear that gripped him now

As blood 'twas dripping from his brow

And then some hands his legs did grip

and o'er his arms some hands did slip

they bore him down the narrow hatch

and bound him in his hammock fast

t'was there he lay without a ken

of world asunder there and then

he did nae ken the ship was lost

and well upon a rock was tossed

when after time his mind took hold

he felt the water wet and cold

upon his back with pain of neck

he knew his fate 'twas circumspect

he shouted out into dark air

but nae an answer came from there

he could nae guess where then he lay

he slept again for near a day

awakened then a shaft of light

came through a hatch glowing bright

he worked until the ropes came clear

but heard no voice without the drear

he struggled thru a waist deep brine

without the ken of place and time

'twas when he found the hatchway stair

that for his life he felt a care

his head t'was red and frightful sore

and then he heard the breakers roar

he could nae ken the reason why

nor where and how he came to lie

he pulled himself up narrow stairs

out on a deck of ropes and tears

without a human soul in sight

with nae a man to hear his fright

The gale had blown the ship aground

onto a rock and there he found

it settled soft on shallow sand

held fast by jagged rocks command

his eye caught bodies floating nigh

and then he saw a reason why

a dingy boat was drifting free

within the dross of ships debris

he spied some men upon the shore

at length 500 yards or more

he shouted them with raspy voice

control of it he had no choice

t'was after twa long  hours bide

another dingy came long side

and Russell Tanner came to shore

the last time ere and sailed nae more

so, when you feel the yen to roam

and seek adventure far from home

be sure ye kin the work ahead

or stay to home and safe a'bed