Father, oh father, build me a boat
That over this ocean I may float.
And every ship that I chance to meet
I will enquire for my William sweet

We had not sailed more than half an hour
Before we met with a man-o-war.
“Captain, captain, tell me true
Is my boy, William, on board with you?”

“What colour suit did your William wear,
What was the colour of your true love’s hair?”
“He had a suit of the royal blue
you would know him, for his heart is true.”

"Your boy, William, I’m sad to say,
he was drownded the other day
On yonder island we passed by
there we laid to rest, your sailor boy.”

She wrung her hands and tore her hair
a fine young lady in deep despair.
“Father, how can I go on
How can I live now my William’s gone?"

“I’ll sit me down and I’ll write me a song,
I’ll write it neat and I’ll write it long,
And in every word I’ll shed a tear
And in every line I’ll set my William, dear."

“I wish, I wish, but it’s all in vain
I wish I was a young maid again
But a maid again, I shall never be
Till apples grow on an orange tree."

Sweet William (The First)

Boys & Girls

I Found You (Live at KCRW)

A love letter to a beautiful flower and to a younger version of myself.

Dear Rhododendron

RLS -- 1892

Sing me a song of a lad that’s gone,
could that lad be I?
Merry of soul he sailed away
Over the sea to Skye 

Sing me a song of a lad that’s gone

Mull astern, Rum aport
Eigg on  the starboard bow;
Glory of youth glowed in his soul:
Where is that glory now? 

Sing me a song of a lad that’s gone

Billow and breeze, islands and seas,
Mountains of rain and sun

Sing me a song of a lad that’s gone

All that was good, all that was fair,
now that that’s all gone

Sing me a song of a lad that’s gone
 
Give me again all that was there,
Give me the sun that shone!
Give me the eyes, give me the soul,
Give me the lad that's gone!

Sing me a song of a lad that’s gone

Sing Me a Song of a Lad that's Gone

Song-a-week 2024 #34

Prompts: "Utopia" and "Set Your Sights"

I had all kinds of lofty ideas of what kind of Utopia I would write a song about. 

But everything seemed vague and up-in-the-clouds, so I came down to earth to get more specific. I started thinking I would do something from Michelle Obama's DNC speech. 

I landed on someone else,  who had some inspiring words for many little children growing up. 

It's sort of a kids song,  except it talks about some intense challenges that (most) kids don't have to deal with, hopefully. Some do, though. It's rough out there.







Just Be You (Look for the Helpers)

Song a week 2024 #36

Prompts:
"Set Your Sights" and "Suspended"

I used suspended C chords in the verses. 

The rest is self-explanatory. 

A metaphorical piece of cake; music seems to  make everything possible. 

The photo is of Mt. Shasta in California.

Set Your Sights on the Highest Heights

Come on cheer up my lads
to glory we steer
and we will add another ship
to this glorious year 

To honour we do call you
as free men, not slaves
For who are as free as us
sons of the waves?
									
Heart of oak are our ships
Heart of oak
Heart of oak
Heart of oak are our men
Heart of oak
Heart of oak									

To our worthy forefathers
let's give them a cheer
To far off lands they didn't know
they courageously steered								
Through oceans unto deserts
for freedom they came
and dying, they bequeathed to us
their freedom and their fame

Heart of oak are our ships
Heart of oak
Heart of oak
Heart of oak are our men
Heart of oak
Heart of oak		

so come on cheer up my boys
to glory we steer
and we will add a pirate ship
to this glorious year 

Heart of oak are our ships
Heart of oak
Heart of oak
Heart of oak are our men
Heart of oak
Heart of oak

Heart of Oak

Accessories

Kooky cozy summer cottagecore slacker stoner anthem. Bring snacks.
Official video: https://youtu.be/4zbuqLCsQf0

For your zune

Worms vs Work

Pennybridge Pioneers

No Cigar

Gang of misfits wanted for adventures. DM if you have magical powers or walkie talkies.

Worms vs Work

ttamiam