I just got Tom's Modern Art and was really surprised to hear "Issac Lewis." Here is his explanation:
"I'm not a sea-going man, but I heard the seed of this story in a bar in Northern Wales. Issac Lewis sails around the world and drowns aboard a clipper ship, then washes up on shore right outside his father's door. I doubted the old drunk who told me the story, then the next day he gave me a book called "The Golden Wreck." It was all true.
It's in the book. This may be one of the only songs I've written with a "message." The moral is: "tell your loved ones what they mean to you before it's too late." Eliza Gilkyson sings harmony and Elana Fremerman plays string parts. This song goes well with a Guinness. And two shots of Tullamore Dew. "

I'll drink to that - nice song. Is this the first time this story has been turned into a song? Is there any song in Welsh based on this incident? Any help greatly appreciated.
Tom's duets with Nanci G are really nice too. Hope he comes back to Fitzgerald's soon again.
Diolch yn fawr, Chris yn Chicago