The Lonesome Boatman

I saw which nearly broke my heart

A tramp lay dying

In the park

I knelt beside him to hear him speak

And the words that

He spoke were very

Weak

He told me a story of

Long since past

Of a gallant ship with it’s long grey mast

Of his captain’s cap

With it’s shining braid

And the wonderfull voyages that he made

Oh silent annie was that great ships name

Like a token of love

He spoke her name

She sailed round the horn

Ay’e more than once

She could cut through

The waves

Like a sharpen’d lance

Oh believe me he said

As his eyes filled with tears

Like a drunk on the corner

Remembering his years

He reached out his hand

And he took it in mine

I believe you i said

And he gave a sad smile

Then came the day when they towed her away

Her sid’es they were sore

From the sea’s angered spray

He said she’s unfit to

Sail out once more

They tugged her more windward

All around sandyshore

As they broke silent annie

I watched with a sigh

I remembered her beauty

When i was a boy

She was my one love my

Lifes only dream

When we sailed out together

As captain and queen

It started to rain i

Felt my hand tight

He squeezed even harder

As he ended the fight

The people they gathered

And watched with dismay

The ambulance men came and took him away

I got to my feet and i

Walked through the park

The sun it had gone but

It was not yet dark

My body was wet my

Clothes were not many

My thoughts were around

By the ship silent annie