Those who have sifted through my song threads will not be surprised that there are a few more changes from what I posted above but the song seems to have finally settled down and now there's a link to a MP3 sample on my website as well (Copy and paste into WORD/TIMES/ 11 to line up chords):

Poem by Burt Franklin Jenness
From OCEAN HAUNTS, edited by Burt Franklin Jenness,
Empire Publishing Co., New York, US, © 1934, pp. 45-47.
Adapted by Charlie Ipcar 7/20/07

SEA DREAMS-2

G---------------------------F-------------------C---------------G
Have you ever stood the midwatch in the cavern of the night,
---------------------------------F--------------G
With the sea wolves racing past you in a pack;
---------------------F---------------------C-----------------G
The steely stars a-playing 'round the masthead for a light,
----------F-------------------------------------------G
And the bucking trades disposed to drive you back?
------------F---------------------------G------------F----G
Have you ever seen a sunset on a copper col-ored sea,
----F--------------------------------------G
The sky just like a polished compass bowl;
-------------------------------------F---------------------C
Seen the night winds catch the spindrift from the waves and
        -------G
        toss it free –
-------F-------------------------------------G
Till to leeward you could see a silvery shoal?


Chorus:

G--------F-------------------------------------G-----------------F---G
Now the wind has shifted eastward, the long green roll-ers call,
-------F---------------------------------------------G
And a brown-skinned gal beckons there for me;
----------------------------F--------------------C---------------G
The starboard watch is yarning, and I'm longing for it all –
-----F--------------------------------G
For any ship to take me back to sea;
-----F------------C------------------G
For any ship to take me back to sea.

Have you ever rode at anchor while a full tropic moon,
Slowly rose above its jungle bed;
Dripping silver in the waters of a coral-fringed lagoon,
Till it hung there like a shining capstan head?
Have you heard the Roaring Forties, day and night about your ears,
And cursed your packet's ceaseless, sickening roll –
With the backstays all complaining and the groaning of the gears?
Then you'll understand the fretting in my soul. (CHO)

If you've cleared the reefs of Suva, and have sighted Sydney Head;
If you've raised the Sugar Loaf at break of dawn;
If you've made Corrigador, and have swung the sounding lead
In the channels of the world where you have gone;
If you've cruised with rowdy shipmates, heard them curse and         brawl;
If you know the seas from Rio to Hong Kong;
If you've loafed about the waterfronts of every port of call –
Then you'll understand the burden of my song. (CHO)

I did drop out one verse and the song still runs almost 5 minutes.

Here's the MP3 link: Click here and search for MP3 Sample!

I think the song is another keeper!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble