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A Salty Dog Lyrics

Artist: Procol Harum
Album: A Salty Dog

(Brooker / Reid)

'All hands on deck, we've run afloat!' I heard the captain cry
'Explore the ship, replace the cook: let no one leave alive!'
Across the straits, around the Horn: how far can sailors fly?
A twisted path, our tortured course, and no one left alive

We sailed for parts unknown to man, where ships come home to die
No lofty peak, nor fortress bold, could match our captain's eye
Upon the seventh seasick day we made our port of call
A sand so white, and sea so blue, no mortal place at all

We fired the gun, and burnt the mast, and rowed from ship to shore
The captain cried, we sailors wept: our tears were tears of joy
Now many moons and many Junes have passed since we made land
A salty dog, this seaman's log: your witness my own hand

Comments/Interpretations

by John from Lisle. on 12/17/2011 2:23am
Again. A masterpiece song. I've heard several interpretations. All of them are good. Some were of spiritual redemption. I interpret this song similar to Moby Dick, where innocent seamen become engrossed with their captain's spell. I feel the sailors became hardened, and almost joyeous to be like the captain. Again, the delivery of the lyrics makes for interpretation. I love procol songs and lyrics.