An Old Man of the Sea

As I sit here by the harbour and I watch the ships in port, and I whittle on an old stick that was washed up on the shore, and I whistle an old shanty that an older man taught me. No one cares about an old man of the sea

Yes I sit here feeling sorry that I'm now too old to sail, I remember runnin' rum and I remember sloggin' mail, I recall the days when ships were made of fine mahogany. No one cares about an old man of the sea

There were times when I was fearful and some times when I was mad, yes I'd like to give an earful but I'm feelin' mighty sad, 'cause I sit here on my chair without a single family. No one cares about an old man of the sea

Now I spy a youngish laddie as he walks along the pier, and he's watchin' a big schooner that is always tied up here, an his eyes 're filled with wonder like it's such a mystery. No one cares about an old man of the sea

I've been told t' mind my business an' t' keep my sails in trim, but this boy is lookin' at me an' I'm lookin' back at him, so I smile with all my teeth an' he can see there's only three. No one cares about an old man of the sea

Well he walks up where I'm sittin' and he's watchin' at my knife, you'd think he ain't seen no whittlin' not once ever in his life, so I'm peekin' from the corner of my eye at this young flea. No one cares about an old man of the sea

Well the schooner's gettin' ready an' she's takin' on her stores, and I'm dreamin' where she's goin' and if any distant shores, and the lad he asks a question as he sits down by my knee. No one cares about an old man of the sea

So I tell 'im what she's doin' and explain it very well, and he asks me somethin' else because he thinks that I can tell, and when he has got his answers he just skips away so free. No one cares about an old man of the sea

Well the sunrise sees the schooner gone she's somewhere far away, and I'm lookin' through my window at another lonely day, when I see the very young man an' he's standin' by a tree. No one cares about an old man of the sea

So I get a hunk a' rope an' then go sittin' on my stair, and I start in tyin' knots as if I didn't have a care, and I know he's comin' closer I can feel him in my lee. No one cares about an old man of the sea

Well now Sandy's comin' every day to learn a thing or two, and I'm tellin' him the stories that he may pass on to you, an' someday you just might hear 'em an' I know that you'll agree. Someone cares about an old man of the sea....