November 2, 2008

"A twisted path, our tortured course, and no one left alive."

'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.
How many moons and many Junes have passed since we made land?
A salty dog, this seaman's log: your witness my own hand.
- Procol Harum

Posted by Vanderleun at November 2, 2008 2:39 PM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

A superb song from a superb band.
Thanks for this!

Posted by: Mal at November 2, 2008 3:30 PM

Wash yourself and see your sorrow,
Make every pitcher clean,
Take a mop to swab the floor,
And destroy the evil dream.
Counting houses full of lead,
The evil eye on high,
The street's awash with blood and pus,
The new moon's in the sky.

God's aloft, the winds are raging
God's aloft, the winds are cold

After leaving I was weeping,
Count it out in tolls,
Watch the book, the page is turning --
How the tale unfolds!

Inside every cancered spectre,
Inside -- outside, find your own,
God's aloft, the winds are raging,
God's aloft, the winds are cold.

God's aloft, the winds are raging
God's aloft, the winds are cold.

Posted by: Francis W. Porretto at November 2, 2008 5:09 PM

Shameless promotion - My little brother's latest article is up at Small Wars Journal.

http://smallwarsjournal.com/mag/docs-temp/124-orris.pdf

Posted by: Mikey NTH at November 3, 2008 2:16 PM

I can't help wondering what Justin Timberlake could do with this -- you know, with a few choreographed dance moves and a butch sailor suit.

Posted by: Gagdad Bob at November 3, 2008 7:17 PM

Excellent!

Posted by: tim aka The Godless Heathen at November 4, 2008 9:35 AM

*Now* many moons... (not "how"), according to Keith Reed-approved procolharum.com

http://www.procolharum.com/w/w0301.htm

Posted by: Nigel at November 4, 2008 10:43 AM