Here is my attempted transcription of another fine poem from Joe Charles. I couldn't decipher part of a line in the second stanza. Joe's poems are not available on the Net. Corrections please. TO THE TALL SHIPS (J.Charles/P.Garland) Chorus Let me dream of tall ships from lands I’ll never know Rollin’ down from London town to the Roaring Forties blow From coral sands to the awful lands of endless ice and snow Let me dream of tall ships from lands I’ll never know I remember Lyttelton like a half forgotten dream When still the great tall sailing ships were anchored in the stream When all along the rugged shore wild shouts and laughter rang While the ragged rascals hauled away to the rough old song they sang When they swaggered down the street to every smoky bar If they passed you up the wind, they smelt of rope and tar And sitting in the sunshine with the …..?? verandah rail They kept the youngsters all wide-eyed with many a long-spun tale Or down along the waterfront, the smoky fussing train Brought trucks of wool and tallow, hides and flax and grain To keep the donkeys puffing steam and the lumpers on the run While out of the reeking holds, exotic cargoes ton by ton Chorus The last time I saw Lyttelton through a haze of smoke and steam There were no tall ships at the quay or anchored in the stream No more ragged ruffians who smelt of rope and tar No burly bearded captain with a reeking black cigar Only the great grim ships of steel, whining, groaning cranes Stinking, roaring motor trucks and streamlined diesel trains Only the seagull’s lonely call and the grey and smoggy sky To steer a dream of sail not steam and the days so long gone by So dream with me of tall ships … Youtube clip --Stewie.
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