Lyr Req: Reach for the Gin (Mike Sparks)

Subject: Lyr Req: Reach for the Gin
From: GUEST,Merrick ap'Milandra
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 10:56 AM

I'm curious as to who wrote the Sea Shanty "Reach for the Gin" and whether or not anyone has the full lyrics.

I've tried searching a bit and can't find them. Outside of "Eliza Lee" and "Shawnee Town" it leads the pack of my favorite things I've ever had the pleasure of hearing Johnny Collins sing, and as I'm due to have a child soon, I'd like to have the full lyrics if they are known so I may sing it as a lullaby. Since "where'd you learn that song, da?" happens as they get older, I would like to know who wrote it if possible.

I was saddened to learn that Johnny has left us. His music brought much joy into my life during tough times.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reach for the Gin
From: gnomad
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:16 AM

Mike Sparks website has the lyrics to his song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reach for the Gin
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 12:10 PM

The song is not a chantey, but the song of a yacht club wannabe sailor, written by Mike Sparks, 1999.

Last verse:
I'll go no more a-sailing, of that you can be sure
I'll just stay here safely tied up by the clubhouse door
Waving at the others sailing out and sailing in
Sitting on my quarter-deck a-drinking of the gin.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reach for the Gin
From: GUEST,Merrick ap'Milandra
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 11:13 AM

Brilliant. Thank you so much.

Subject: Lyr Req: REACH FOR THE GIN (Mike Sparks)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 05:54 PM

Copied from Mike Sparks' web site (see link above):


REACH FOR THE GIN
(Mike Sparks)

CHORUS: Reach for the gin! The water's pouring in.
Reach for the lifebelt! It's sink or swim.
Call for the coastguard! I think it's getting worse.
The ocean to a sailorman is nothing but a curse.

1. I went to the boat show. Now you really should have come.
Walking round the cruisers there, I thought I heard Drake's drum.
I heard wind in the rigging and calls of shanty men.
I went and got me cheque-book out and bought one there and then.

2. I signed up at the yacht club and got it safely moored.
The Commodore he hailed me and asked to come aboard.
He spoke of a regatta, whatever that might be,
And he seemed to think I'd want to take my vessel out to sea.

3. I said that going sailing wasn't anything I'd planned.
I hadn't got instructions and no books of maps to hand.
I didn't know port from starboard and I couldn't tell east from west.
He seemed to think this made me somewhat better than the rest.

4. I hoisted up my sails and I headed out to sea.
The watchers on the pier head were all waving vigorously,
And I was smiling at them as we hit that fishing smack,
And they were still there waving as the lifeboat towed us back.

5. I'll go no more a-sailing, of that you can be sure.
I'll just stay here safely tied up by the clubhouse door,
Waving at the others sailing out and sailing in,
Sitting on my quarter-deck a-drinking of the gin.

© 1999 Mike Sparks

This song appears on the CD 'Going Round Again'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reach for the Gin (Mike Sparks)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 05:11 PM

This was the last song Johnny Collins sang in public (in Poland)!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reach for the Gin (Mike Sparks)
From: Ross
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 02:41 AM

Mike will be performing at the Bull in Barton Le Clay, Bedfordshire

on the 9th September

Come along & hear him sing it

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reach for the Gin (Mike Sparks)
From: My guru always said
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 02:54 AM

I'll pop that date in my diary Ross, hearing Mike is always a pleasure!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reach for the Gin (Mike Sparks)
From: Ross
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 09:21 AM

Cheers Guru

It was nice to see you at Shrewsbury

The waits over

It's this Wednesday - 9th Sept

Get out your ssat nav's & head for Barton