the lady and the anchor

"i wasn't made for farmland but for bilge water and sails 

i long to see such foreign lands and drink exotic ales"

a while ago, i did a post in which i explained how nice it is when a work of art can live past its inspiration and begin being being more fluid in meaning (you can find it here). in this post, i present another song i wrote several years ago, though this one hasn't so much changed in meaning but been updated in application. it was written about, or at least inspired by, graduate school (you'll find in another post an explanation of my feelings about going on after my bachelor). i wrote it toying with the idea of taking a breather from school after i graduated. the song is basically about the fact that i wasn't made for school, but after i've lived a little more, i think i'll be ready for it. there were plenty of liberties taken once the song started taking shape, so don't read into it too much. still, i think it can offer some insight on what in the world i'm on about. the character speaking is indeed speaking to a girl, but the song was not inspired by a university. as a matter of interest, you may find it amusing to know that while writing it i always referred to the girl in question as 'washington.' i was pretty eager to get into uw. 


i share this now because i'm finally graduating, and off to sea, so to speak. perhaps you can relate in one way or another, or perhaps not, but hopefully you can enjoy it a bit either way.

the lady and the anchor
oh, i'm going to the sea
for it's been calling out to me
and i'll return as a man and not this boy that i have been
for my soul longs to be free
and on the waters it may be
and i'll be yours if you'll be mine when i am home again


i wasn't made for farmland but for bilge water and sails 
i long to see such foreign lands and drink exotic ales
but this shore has held me faster than a thousand earthly jails
but that freighter seems a file for these bars
and while some will scoff and doubt 
i tell you soon i will be out
and i'll trade in my old compass for a sextant and the stars 


for i'm going to the sea
for it's been calling out to me
and i'll return as a man and not this boy that i have been
for my soul longs to be free
and on the waters it may be
and i'll be yours if you'll be mine when i am home again


i feel it's only fate to wear an anchor on my arm
and a lady on the other to dance to my guitar
but rest assured there's no need for upset or for alarm
for i tell you my intentions still are true
for as we see her pouty lips and watch her saucy swaying hips
the men will dream of maidens past and i will think of you


my darling lover, dear, it breaks my heart to see you cry
but to say i wish i needn't go t'would truly be a lie
for i was meant to sail these seas as sure as birds are meant to fly
and as every bird must leave its nest i too must say goodbye


oh i wish that i could have you, i wish i could somehow
but the truth is that this boy i am, i cannot have you now
but when i return, a sailor, with beard and heavier brow
i pray then that these fickle gods our romance will allow


so i am going to the sea
for it's been calling out to me
and i'll return as a man and not this boy that i have been
for my soul longs to be free
and on the waters it may be
and i'll be yours if you'll be mine when i am home again


yes i'm going to the sea for i'm still longing to be free
these legs were never meant to stay on land
and when i come home to thee
i hope and pray i'll be
a lover and a sailor that is worthy of thy hand


here's to another six month gap til my next entry,
trace.

balding.

balding i am, more scalp do i see.

in not far future, bald i will be,

but i face with face what comes to me

as wind survived by rooted tree.

as this hair leaves, chops i'll grow--

twill from my crown to jawline flow.

yes, what old men have learned, i soon will show;

hair will come, and hair will go.