Subject: Lyr Add: NOTICE TO MARINERS (John Dwyer)
From:
Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 May 23 - 09:04 PM
This isn't exactly a lighthouse song, it's a song about navigating in the fog by sound (lighthouses also have loud horns to complement the work the light does).
Notice to Mariners about a ferry running aground when the captain thought he was responding to the lighthouse horn. By John Dwyer in 1974, copyright and all of that still intact.
These lyrics were posted by Stewart Hendrickson, I haven't checked them against any records I have here (Dad's files are in one place but not terribly organized.)
NOTICE TO MARINERS
(John Dwyer, 1974)
Come all you Northwest sailors, who cruise on Puget Sound,
And listen to my story, for well it will astound;
'Tis of a ferry captain, who ventured forth one day,
And of the fate befell him, as he sailed on the bay.
The ferry left Seattle, 'twas on a foggy day,
The captain had no worries, for well he knew the way;
He headed 'cross the water, where finny things abound,
And set his course for Bremerton, across famed Puget Sound.
He left Seattle Harbor, and passed Duwamish Head,
Past Alki on the port side, he westerly did head;
And now 'twas open water, across to Orchard Point,
Through fog as thick as chowder, the ferry's bow did point.
Now all good skippers have a trick, who sail these waters 'round,
And when the fog is thickest, 'tis then they steer by sound;
Full several times a minute, their whistle loud they blow,
And by the echo bouncing, when land is close they know.
The ferry neared Rich Passage. a place of rocks and shoals,
And narrow as an hourglass, as past Point White she goes,
The captain slowed the ferry, and not to run aground,
He blew upon his whistle, and listened for the sound.
Now, a farmer on Point Glover, across the neck from White,
Had tied his cow that foggy morn, upon lush grass to bite;
So several times a minute, the ferry's whistle blew,
And as the captain listened, the echo came back "Moo!"
The captain turned the vessel, still steering by the sound,
And guided by that silly cow, the ferry ran aground;
So all you Northwest sailors, give listen to me now,
And when you cruise on Puget Sound, don't navigate by cow!
|
sj
