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Son Of A Son Of A Sailor

by Jimmy Buffett

from the album Son Of A Son Of A Sailor

Lyrics

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

Jimmy’s Note:

I saw a picture of my grandfather after he had come back from a trip to Nova Scotia. He was born there but left when he was a young man and didn’t return until he was 84. He was standing on dock staring at an old sailing schooner, and the look on his face told the story of where he had come from and where he had been. I have always been very proud of my heritage as a sailor and wrote this for the men who taught me the skills.