Slightly different this time. Here is one you can sing along to if you know the tune “The Wellerman”.
1. There once was a boy who went to sea,
For he’d a yearning to be free,
But the harsh reality,
Of war crushed all his dreams.
Chorus
Ho ho, the life at sea,
A seaman’s life is right for me,
The mighty roar of cannon maw,
Blew that boy away.
2. Now that boy is sailing free,
Lives a life he thinks is free,
But the harsh reality,
Comes home with his first blood.
Chorus
Ho ho, the life at sea,
He lives a life he thinks is free
The mighty roar of cannon maw,
Blews that boy astray
3. Now as that boy becomes a man,
Confronting death, the best he can,
He’s numbed by stark reality,
And buries his first love.
Chorus
Ho ho, the life at sea,
A seaman’s life is right for me,
The mighty roar of cannon maw,
Revenge now makes him stay.
4. A hardened man now stands his ground,
While battle rages all around,
Appalled at the reality,
Of freedom he has found.
Chorus
Ho ho, the life at sea,
A seaman’s life is right for me,
The mighty roar of cannon maw,
Can’t blow that man away.
5. Now a veteran, returned from sea,
Traumatised as he could be,
Freedom’s prize was not for free,
It lies buried with his friends.
Chorus
Ho ho, the life at sea,
A seaman’s life was right for me,
Wet with fright, I shake at night,
And hold demons at bay.
