A Sailor's Prayer

[fiere redfern]

As some of you probably know, I'm a bit of a folk song nut - brought on by many years learning music on my dad's knee (he's a folksinger/songwriter). I recently found this amazing tune and thought I'd share it with you all - lyrics are listed below the video.

I know it's not a concert hall, but tbh the best places to listen to and sing these kinds of songs are in small bars and pubs - the sense of family even between strangers while singing these songs is incredible. And yeah, they get a bit silly toward the end

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The Sailor's Prayer
(Rod MacDonald)

Though my sails be torn and ragged and my mast be turned about
Though the night wind chill me to my very soul
Though the salt spray sting my eye and the stars no sight provide
Give me just enough morning light to hold

   I will not lie me down, this rain a-raging
   I will not lie me down in such a storm
   And if this night be unblessed, I shall not take my rest
   Until we reach another shore

If the only water's salt and I cannot quench my thirst
I will drink the rain that falls so steady down
If night's blindness be my gift, if there be thieves upon my drift
I will praise the dark that shelters me from them

If my friends be drained and weary and it seems their hopes are
lost
There's no need for their bones on this blackened bottom
And if death wait just off the bow, we need not answer to him now
We'll stand on and face the morning light without him

[Thane]

Fi:

not that you weren't great before, but you just got super cool in my books. this is awesome.

[un4]

Your one true love's a sailing ship
That anchors at our pier.
We lift her sails, we man her decks,
We scrub her portholes clear;

And yes, our lighthouse shines for her,
And yes, our shores are warm;
We steer her into harbor-
Any port in a storm.

The sailors stand upon the docks,
The sailors stand in line,
As thirsty as a dwarf for gold
Or centaurs for cheep wine.

For all the sailors love her,
And flock to where she's moored,
Each man hoping that he might
Go down, all hands on board.