Nantucket

I come from an island, an islander's ways
Breakers and Quakers and few of us stray
Hunting the oceans with men that won't tire
Nantucket sleigh rides and chimneys afire
Some may be wary and won't understand
Trading a spear for a flag in the hand
A-jetsam the try pots, I'm shipping out east
Off to go hunting a different beast

Fire flies from the long nines
Shot handlers run about
The captain says we'll hull 'er (hey!)
As though there was some doubt
And as we blow on the matches
And brace to take the shock
My mind is in Nantucket
Hauling whale meat into dock

I'm not used to bracing in weather so calm
Still making cheer when I hear the alarm
As iron and fire knock nails from the stern
The shoals are no longer my biggest concern
Our skipper is canny, a droll kind of soul
He never sulked and he's still cracking jokes
"Ah, Mr. Starbuck, your aim is quite rare!"
"Well I aims to sink her beyond disrepair!"

Fire flies from the long nines
Shot handlers run about
The captain says we'll hull 'er (hey!)
As though there was some doubt
And as we blow on the matches
And brace to take the shock
My mind is in Nantucket
Hauling whale meat into dock

History favours the bold and the brave
Conquer the mountains and weather the waves
Now I'm away with all liberty's sons
Off down the channel to stand by the guns

Fire flies from the long nines
Shot handlers run about
The captain says we'll hull 'er
As though there was some doubt
And as we blow on the matches
And brace to take the shock
My mind is in Nantucket
Hauling whale meat into dock

Fire flies from the long nines
Shot handlers run about
The captain says we'll hull 'er
As though there was some doubt
And as we blow on the matches
And brace to take the shock
My mind is in Nantucket
Hauling whale meat into dock