Lyrics

Spoken:
Seems Like were visiting old songs like you visit old friends, or ships visit ports. This song first came out on a album called Son of a Son of a Sailor. Back when it cost as much to do an album as it did an album cover. This song’s had a great ride and is still one of my favorites, and always a perennial favorite when we go out on tour. We got a new set of sails on it this year. We have the lovely miss Nadirah Shakoor gonna help us out on this. The Coral Reefers always on the cruise, so let’s set sail, shall we boys?

As the son of a son of a sailor
I went out on the sea for adventure
Expanding the view of the captain and crew
Like a man just released from indenture

As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin’ man
I have chalked up many a mile
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks
And I’ve learned much from both of their styles

Son of a son, son of a son, son of a son of a sailor
Son of a gun; load the last ton
One step ahead of the jailer

Now away in the near future, southeast of disorder
You can shake the hand of the mango man
As he greets you at the border
And the lady she hails from Trinidad
Island of the spices
Salt for your meat and cinnamon sweet
And the rum is for all your good vices

Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind that our
Forefathers harnessed before us
Hear the bells ring as the tide rigging sings
It’s a son of a gun of a chorus

Where it all ends I can’t fathom, my friends
If I knew, I might toss out my anchor
So I’ll cruise along always searchin’ for songs
Not a lawyer, a thief or a banker

But a son of a son, son of a son, son of a son of a sailor
Son of a gun, load the last ton
One step ahead of the jailer
I’m just a son of a son, son of a son, son of a son of a sailor
The sea’s in my veins, my tradition remains
I’m just glad I don’t live in a trailer

Spoken:
I’ll take the dock of ship any day
Sail on Gardner McKay
Sail on Freddy Neil
Sail on George Harrison