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Lyr Req: Once a Sailor (Valdy)

28 Jul 09 - 01:08 AM (#2688553)
Subject: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: GUEST

I've been trying to find the lyrics for the Valdy tune, Once a Sailor. Does anyone have them?   It was a favorite of my late husband's (he would sing it while playing the guitar) and I'd really like the lyrics. Thank you so much in advance.


28 Jul 09 - 03:23 AM (#2688576)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: GUEST

Dear Guest. Do you have any of the lyrics at all? ANY?


28 Jul 09 - 08:27 AM (#2688690)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: Charley Noble

There are additional clues here but "Guest" has already discovered that:

Subject: RE: Just A Dirty Old Man??
From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca - PM
Date: 01 Jul 99 - 09:17 PM

Yes, Bob Ruzicka. Wasn't he The Singing Dentist? I think it was him who wrote the song about the man in Saskatoon who wished he had become a sailor. Once A Sailor? That the name?
The line is "old and tired, bent and busted, grey and wrinkled"

Eighty summers.

Charley Noble


28 Jul 09 - 11:21 AM (#2688783)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: Peace

The line "old and tired . . ." is from Dirty Old Man, not "Once a Sailor". Just for clarity. That second GUEST was me, btw. Sorry. Using someone elses computer and my cookie was POOF, gone.


28 Jul 09 - 01:42 PM (#2688898)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: GUEST

Hi,
I'm Deb, the original "guest". The only lyrics I remember are probably not totally accurate but go something like "can you see the stars to guide you by in downtown Saskatoon". I have searched these lyrics on this site and on Google and I can't find any record of the song. I even tried searching Bob Ruzicka in case he was the song writer but no luck. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!


28 Jul 09 - 01:46 PM (#2688904)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: Peace

eb, I'm finding nothing on the www. However, perhaps you'd have some success by writing to Valdy. He's a very personable guy and I'm sure once he sees your request he'd help you for sure. Try him at

valdy (at) saltspring (dot) com

PS I will keep looking.


28 Jul 09 - 07:01 PM (#2689220)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: Peace

That should read "Deb".


29 Jul 09 - 12:15 AM (#2689357)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: GUEST

Thank you, Peace. I have emailed him and he's been a great help with identifying the album and helping me track one down. Thank you for your advice.


29 Jul 09 - 12:17 AM (#2689358)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: Peace

Glad to be of help.


03 May 10 - 06:22 PM (#2899390)
Subject: Lyr Add: ONCE A SAILOR (from Valdy)
From: GUEST

Hi guest .... I hope this helps you.

Here are the lyrics to ONCE A SAILOR - VALDY

ONCE A SAILOR - VALDY

It's gonna be clear sailin' in the morning,
It's gonna feel like God was on your side,
It's gonna be clear sailin' in the morning,
With the wind at your back, and your runnin' with the tide,

And it may not be the answer, it may not set you free,
I know, it's not for everyman, just runnin' off to sea,
With a fresh wind in the morning',
And a bright red sky at night,
I will sail to heaven's door, and say "I've seen the light!".

I heard you say you had your problems,
I heard you say your jobs' got you down,
I heard you say your ol' lady left you,
And you friends all let you down.

Well my might have been a sailor,
Spent your whole damn life at sea,
But only crazy fools and failures,
Ever dare to live that free!

Heard you say "you woulda been a free-ramblin' man,
But some lover hide your travelin' shoes!".
Only God could love a gambler,
Who tries that hard to lose.

Still, you might have been a sailor,
Spent your whole damn life at sea,
But only crazy fools and failures,
Ever dare to live that free!

So, spent your whole life stumblin'
Crawlin' round on your hand an knees,
Never heard the wind in the riggin',
On a cool, "fair-reachin' breeze",
And you waste your time wishin' and wonderin',
"What in the hell am I doin?"
Can you find a star to steer you by,
In downtown Saskatoon?

Still, you might have been a sailor,
Spent your whole damn life at sea,
But only crazy fools and failures,
Ever dare to live that free, free, free
Like a sailor, who has spent his whole damn life at sea,
But only crazy fools and failures,
Ever dare to live that free!


03 May 10 - 06:25 PM (#2899392)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor
From: GUEST,Barry (Valdy Fan)

Sorry, I should have put my name in the previous posting ... the one with the VALDY lyrics attached ...

Hope those lyrics are what you were looking for.


11 Oct 10 - 10:05 PM (#3004878)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor (Valdy)
From: GUEST,Lauren Marie

Hey, could I get the chords on Once a Sailor pretty please>?


23 May 14 - 04:23 AM (#3627753)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor (Valdy)
From: GUEST,EricaB

Does any one have the chords for Once A Sailor please!


23 Oct 19 - 06:46 PM (#4015102)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Once a Sailor (Valdy)
From: GUEST

EricaB, Want the chords for "Once A Sailor" contact me (James) at jgpag at hotmail dot com