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Lyr Add: The last whale hunt

17 Jun 03 - 07:53 PM (#968047)
Subject: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: kendall

The Last Whale Hunt


When I was a young man, I dreamed of life at sea,
For adventure and for riches, and the dream did capture me,
But the whaling life is bitter and the owners get the gold
While we settle for a pittance when the oil is sold.

Ever since I was a young man, I've hunted for the whale
Around the world's great oceans we go with oars and sail
But I tire of the killing, I tire of the sea
Now the voices of my loved ones are calling me.

The air is always putrid the bunks are often wet
I mind the years I've wasted, and it fills me with regret
But when this trip is finished and I am safe ashore
I'll turn my back on this life and sail no more.

Last week from the masthead the cry of "There he spouts"
We chased him with the long boats until he wore us out
But the sperm whale is a killer, and he turned on us at last
His tail flukes smashed the long boat as he went past.

The first Mate and the harpooneer met their fate that day
And I've lost my lust for whaling, I can no longer stay
But the hold is full of oil now, we need no longer roam
There's a fair wind on our quarter, rolling home


17 Jun 03 - 08:08 PM (#968055)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: Charley Noble

Kendall-

Where did you find this one, or did you compose it?

Charley Noble


17 Jun 03 - 08:11 PM (#968056)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: Gareth

Nicw song Kendal - just a thought, the romance of sailing is fine on a nice sunny day, with a fair breeze. In Artic waters , or beating uo channel into the teeth of a Nor' Easter with 18 inches of freeboard on a Thames Barge in Winter tends to knock the shine off it.

Your song hits the downside !!!!!!!!

Gareth


18 Jun 03 - 04:06 AM (#968188)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: Billy the Bus

Hi Kendall,

I take grave exception to the title of your song. In light of what is happening at IWC, right now, please change it to "MY last whale hunt"!

Nice song .... it's prodded me th track down a similar one of mine from30 years back .... Ummm ... it'll be a new thread "Whale's Knell"

Mumble, mumble .... lots to beyarned of the old whaling trade.

Iakes a shot of grog

Cheers - Sam


18 Jun 03 - 09:19 PM (#968729)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: kendall

Actually, I wrote it. Started out to write another verse to "Duna" and ended up with a whole song.


19 Jun 03 - 08:08 AM (#968951)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: GUEST,noddy

if you like this song look up " the last of the leviathans" .I think I spelt it right???


19 Jun 03 - 08:19 AM (#968961)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: MMario

What do you use for a tune?


19 Jun 03 - 08:34 AM (#968971)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: Charley Noble

We'll have to hear you sing this one, Kendall, at the next shanty swap or coffeehouse.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble


19 Jun 03 - 03:39 PM (#969260)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: kendall

I used the tune for DUNA. Recorded by Gordon Bok.


19 Jun 03 - 07:51 PM (#969396)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: CraigS

Bunks on a whaler? A White Star whaler? HAMMOCKS, YA LUMMOX.

OTOH, good song.


20 Jun 03 - 04:57 AM (#969556)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: kendall

Websters defines "bunk" as "any sleeping place."
Bunks scans, hammock doesn't.


20 Jun 03 - 05:13 AM (#969560)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The last whale hunt
From: Billy the Bus

Actually, methinks many, if not most of the whalers had bunks in the focs'l. The "Lagoda" did according to the cutaway sketch in the Life book "The Whalers". I've also read heaps of references to bunks in whalining yarns. Stick to yer harpoon guns Kebdall . ;)

Cheers - Sam