Dear Art and Don--

Thank you SO MUCH--This is clearly not ANYthing like the song I've got! I like the lyric--I'm going to add it my list of CDs to order from Dick G.

Personally, I read SAATW 13 years ago for a "Literature of the Sea" course, and was very impressed with Slocum's writing style. I wrote my final essay on the book, analyzing Slocum's weaknesses as a "Seaman, A.B." It's amazing to me that he survived his voyage. The book, however, is a wonderful example of what is called "creative non-fiction:" it relates an actual occurence, but uses all sorts of literary devices to build suspense and interest in the reader.

My "chantey" has verses that relate details of Slocum's voyage alternated with a chorus that might have been used on a steam/sail trade packet during the transition period when sailing ships were being replaced by steamers:

--Weigh hey ho me boys
Weigh hey ho
Hoist the sail aloft me boys
Or shovel coal below
--

If this sounds familiar to anyone, please let me know!

V