The Ghost of Nantucket
Art & Lyrics
Part of me is still a little boy, and I happen to like pirate and whaling stories. You know? Walking the plank, buried treasure, white whales, eye patches, peg-legs, and “hook” hands? It’s all good, although I could never figure out why a bunch of grown men would want to be stuck together for an extended period on a small boat. The adventure aspect must’ve had a more powerful draw than the smell was a deterrent! Or maybe, they were trying to avoid the law, or get away from a lady? Yeah, that’s it! It’s got to be about a lady, right? Aye!
Lyrics:
The Ghost Of Nantucket words & music by JRRothrock c 2/24/2010
In 1840, Nantucket, Mass, at 18 years, I faced my Lass
… and on one knee, asked her to share my life, and be a candlestick maker’s wife.
When she said “yes!” it was a happy day, and I broke my back just tryin’ to make my pay
… to build a life that, for a Queen, was fit, but I’d soon learn it was not adequate!
One day as I’s dreamin’ about her charms, came home to find her in another’s arms!
Felt a hot dagger deep in my heart! Nearly lost my mind, and there was no “chart” (map)
… to lead me back to my peace of mind. In the dark, alone, I was left behind.
Scattered pieces of a life planned for “we”, but here in the end, there’s only me!
One night as I’s layin in my rack, tired of wonderin’ just what I lack
… so, I changed my path, took a whole new tack, and headed for the sea,
and I ain’t looked back!
A new life, the only course for me! Far away from all hostility.
To the open air of the deep blue sea! So, now it's a whaler’s life for me!
So, I “pulled the weeds” and I “nipped the bud”. Found something new to stir my blood!
Got open skies to clear my mind! The past is gone! Left it behind!
On a whaling ship, I could make big pay, so I signed on for a very long lay!
When I return someday from the sea, maybe then someone will marry me!
But my mind drifts back to her perfume, like a field of flowers in every room.
How I wish she was in my arms again! What am I doing with these greasy men?!
Tho once was a different song I sung, I got fresh air now to fill my lungs!
On a whalin’ ship’s where I choose to toil. Where I tastes the salt and I smells the oil!
“Pull the canvas tight to increase your sail. Let her loose, man, when you’re in a gale!”
Where a ship will blow, nobody knows. If ya sight a whale, sing out, “Thar she blows!”
“Stand by, men, and lower the boats! Put your back in it, boys! Don’t sit and float!
Hove up, me Hardies! Gulls in the skies! She breaches! Gotta grab the prize!”
Instrumental Break
I say you’re gone without a trace. but I feel the lines upon my face.
Outside, a man pretending "joy". Inside, a crying little boy!
Some nights I dream of her aloud, and I see her face up in the clouds.
Girl, is there no erasing thee? Why is your shadow forever chasing me?!
I hunt for whales and I do what’s right to supply the oil that lights the light!
I spends my day, harpoon in hand, and do the work of a worthy man!
When we strips a whale, brings it up to boil, and we melts ‘em down to render oil.
When the work's all done, then I hit my bunk, or it’s overboard from the rum I drunk!
God made many girls. Very few are true, but ye may find one, if He so blesses you.
Tho’ I still hold tight to my God above, wasn’t meant for me to find true love.
From time to time, my thoughts drift back to feelings dark and thoughts of black
…’til a cold wave slaps, remindin’ me that a whalin’ man is what I be!
Instrumental Break
Well, I spends my time with these smelly blokes, and we busts our rumps and tell dirty jokes!
Why, I give my life to the deep, blue sea? ’Cause she’s the only “woman” ever true to me!
Well, we works all day, and we sings all night, and we drinks our ale, but we do what’s right!
Roll with the tide! The simple life for me! I’m a whalin’ man, that’s what I be!
Well, I spends my time with these smelly blokes, and we busts our hump and tell dirty jokes!
Why, I give my life to the deep, blue sea? ’Cause she’s the only “gal” ever could love me!
Well, we works all day, and we drinks all night, and we downs our ale, then we get in fights!
Drift on the tides! A lonely life for me, but I’m a whalin’ man! That’s what I be!
And it’s from my heart that I give three cheers for the foam on the ocean and suds in my beer!
To my Nantucket home, I have made this toast. To the one I loved? I remain a ghost!
And it’s from my heart that I give three cheers for the foam on the ocean and suds in my beer!
To my Nantucket home, I have made this toast! To the one I loved? I remain a ghost!!!
...a ghost!
...a ghost!??
…a ghost???