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Old Zeb

by Gordon Bok

on Ensemble (1988)

I'm not tired of the wind, I'm not weary of the sea
But they've probably had a bellyful of a damned old coot like me
So I'm going ashore, and she's bound for better days
But I'll see her tops'l flying when I come down off the ways

Oh, Rosie, get my Sunday shoes
Gertie, get my walking cane
We'll take another walk to see
Old Alice sail again

If I had a nickel for every man I used to know
Who could load three cord of wood aboard in half an hour or so
Who could get on sail by hauling, instead of donkeying around
I'd be the poorest coasterman this side of Edgartown

Oh, Rosie, get my Sunday shoes
Gertie, get my walking cane
We'll take another walk to see
Old Alice sail again

Any fool can work an engine, takes brains to work a sail
And I never see no steamer get much good out of a gale
You can go and pay your taxes on the rationed gas you get
But at least for me the wind is free, and they haven't run out yet

Oh, Rosie, get my Sunday shoes
Gertie, get my walking cane
We'll take another walk to see
Old Alice sail again

If I get back to her, I'd treat her just the same
I'd jibe her when I want to, boys, and sail in the freezing rain
I'd park the old dear on the beach and go dancing in the town
'Cause a man that's born for hanging, ain't likely to get drowned

Oh, Rosie, get my Sunday shoes
Gertie, get my walking cane
We'll take another walk to see
Old Alice sail again

I'm not tired of the wind, I'm not weary of the sea
But they've probably had a bellyful of a damned old coot like me
So I'm going ashore, and she's bound for better days
But I'll see her tops'l flying when I come down off the ways

Oh, Rosie, get my Sunday shoes
Gertie, get my walking cane
We'll take another walk to see
Old Alice sail again
We'll take another walk to see
Old Alice sail again