To Join The Crew (I Went Away To Fix It)

These are the lyrics to a sea song I wrote mid March 2017 to add to the repertoire of the Lytham St Anne's Shanty Crew. 

Written specifically with one of our singers in mind, the song is a tale of a fellow endeavouring to secure employment on board a sailing ship. 

He is constantly rebuffed by the captain, but our hero is always one to persevere... whatever the cost.

The parts sung by all the crew are in italics. 


To Join the Crew (I Went Away To Fix It)

I asked to join a clipper / I was told I lacked the skill
So I went away to fix it   
Yes he went away to fix it
So I went away to fix it / As I never can stand still.
Stand still! Stand still! He never can stand still
So I went away to fix it / As I never can stand still.

    CHORUS 
    Each time we were in dock he'd come / and ask to join the crew
    The captain gave him some excuse: / A task he had to do.
    But his yearning for the ocean / was as strong as strong can be
    and nothing would deter his wish / To sail upon the sea.

He said I would need training / As the weather can be grim
So I went away to fix it
Yes he went away to fix it
So I went away to fix it / And I taught myself to swim.
To swim? To swim! He taught himself to swim.
So I went away to fix it / And  I taught myself to swim.

He said I needed clothing / That would not absorb the dirt
So I went away to fix it   
Yes he went away to fix it
So I went away to fix it / And I bought a chequered shirt.
A shirt! A shirt! He bought a chequered shirt.
So I went away to fix it / And I bought a chequered shirt.

    CHORUS

He said to haul together / Crewmen need to get along
So I went away to fix it
Yes he went away to fix it
So I went away to fix it / And I learned a shanty song
A song! A song! He learned a shanty song
So I went away to fix it / And I learned a shanty song.

He said I was too fresh faced; / Crewmen needed to be feared
So I went away to fix it
Yes he went away to fix it
So I went away to fix it / And I came back with beard
A beard! A beard! He came back with a beard
So I went away to fix it / And I came back with beard.

    CHORUS

He said the crew was full / There were no places left to take
So I went away to fix it
Yes he went away to fix it
So I went away to fix it / And I had a lucky break.
A break! A break He had a lucky break
So I went away to fix it /And I had a lucky break

A member of the crew was lost / They thought he may be drowned
So I went away to fix it
Yes he went away to fix it
So I went away to fix it / Now he never will be found.
Not found! Not found! He never will be found.
So I went away to fix it / Now he never willbe found.

    CHORUS, then repeat last two lines (four phrases) of CHORUS, slower.

Chocolate and Viagra

An unusual Pub Poets' theme this month - Chocolate and Viagra. Only a short poem, though, and it took a while to come up with that (arf arf).

Chocolate and Viagra 

Abdul's box was left holding soft centres;
nothing too hard in there without doubt.
His nuts had gone AWOL, he needed a Boost,
but somehow he'd simply Flaked out.

Could Break-up Blocks be a good reason?
His Daim's Snickers did not help one jot,
and no Twirls amongst Curly Wurlies
would pick up his Penguin a lot.

Now he thought milky bars were no Picnic
but an idea Twix midday and one
brought Abdul at long last some Turkish Delight.
He'd get some blue Smarties! Job done.