Lyr Req: The Gull (Stuart M Frank)

Subject: Lyr Req: Song Title Please?
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 11:43 AM

I woke up this morning with the chorus to a song spinning through my head ... yes, I know, I'm weird! I know the song was written by Bob Franke, I'm guessing back in the 70's The chorus starts:

"Oh can you sing a song my friend,
And can you spin a tale,
Or sing a song on the deck at night,
And hoist a glass of ale."

Can anyone tell me the title of this gem and on which album I might find it? Bob(deckman)Nelson (sleepless in Seattle)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song Title Please?
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 12:00 PM

The Gull
© 1979 Stuart M Frank
from Pint and Dale's website:
http://members.aol.com/Pintndale/coflyrics.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song Title Please?
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 12:14 PM

BOY ... WAS I WRONG!!!! Many thanks Noreen, and my sincere appologies to Stuart Frank. I only heard the song once ... that's what happens over 25 years. Bob

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GULL (Stuart M Frank)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 10:31 PM

Why not have the song here?

Copied from William Pint & Felicia Dale's web site:

THE GULL
© 1979 Stuart M Frank
^^
A gull that soared above the wave and hovered in the clouds
Landed on the foremast peak and settled in the shrouds,
And kindred spirits, he and I, we sailed that balmy day
The one to rest from flight in air and I upon my way.

CHORUS: And can you sing a song, my friend? And can you trim a sail?
Or spin a yarn on the deck at night? And hoist a glass of ale?

What mystery of earth or wind or sky or sunlit sea
Has brought this spirit to my ship and here to rest with me?
This canvas, this hemp, this hand-hewn oak, this schooner of my hands,
It steers my fate amid stars and brine, outside of reason stands.

Of all the ocean followers who ever plowed the wave,
Of all the men who breathed salt air, refused to be land's slave,
Of all the ones who hoisted sail for pleasure or for pay,
There's not a one as free as he, yet rest with me he may.

That we in life must seek anew and travel far and wide,
For some, the quest is on the wave, the salt wind, and the tide.
It's no surprise to you or me, a futile search at best:
We see the gull as graceful, free, yet here he sits to rest.

Another spirit sails with me. For him I tell this tale.
I almost see him standing here to help to trim the sail.
I like to think he's smiling now to see me at the wheel,
This graceful ship, his epitaph in canvas, oak, and steel.

[Sung by William Pint and Felicia Dale on their album "Change of Fortune."]