Author’s note: This is another folk song I wrote for my novel “Dragondust”. This is a sea working song. I wonder if you feel it works as one. As usual, FPcom messes up my format.

Old Man at the Docks

An old man once came down the street,

Break your backs and row!

He had a son, who joined the fleet,

North winds, sea winds, blow!

- - -

He limped, he coughed, he sought his son,

Break your backs and row!

From sea to shore and shade to sun,

North winds, sea winds, blow!

- - -

“My boy, my boy, where is my son?”

Break your backs and row!

“My boy, who left when war began?”

North winds, sea winds, blow!

- - -

“The war is won,” the old man cries,

Break your backs and row!

“In sea’s wet bosom my boy lies,”

North winds, sea winds, blow!

- - -

No peace he found in shores and caves.

Break your backs and row!

He joined his son beneath the waves.

North winds, sea winds, blow!

- - -

Man and son now lie together,

Break your backs and row!

And sail our mother sea forever!

North winds, sea winds, blow!