Just Live

I worked at the mill, its all work no play
Nose to the grindstone, day after day
Yer born, ya work, ya sleep, ya die
When the mill cut back this town would serve me no more

I swore Phillip's Oath on the Jolie Marie
We sailed at the crack of dawn
The tide waits for no man nor dusk nor dawn
I'd no time to say goodbye

Hoist up the mainsail, unfurl jib
Weigh anchor and let's set sail
Heave Ho, ye mates, the Treasure she waits
Let's find the edge of the earth

The first mate had a squinty eye, from years in the sun
On a Seadog's weathered face
No Letters of Marque for these Buccaneers
We prowl these seas alone

We sailed for weeks, when I heard "land ho!"
"Thar be pirate cove"
We lowered the longboats and made for the shore
To find our fortunes … or not

Hoist up the mainsail, unfurl jib
Weigh anchor and let's set sail
Heave Ho, ye mates, the Treasure she waits
Let's find the edge of the earth

We slashed through the jungle found a crumbled façade
Made our way to the central square
There found an inscription of simple advice
... "Just Live"

"And then we found a whole bunch of treasure
... HURRAH!"

My share of loot buys a sumptuous life
Yet, for all this wealth 'til the day I die
My finest treasure and humblest pleasure
Is to grasp each moment and live

I've travelled the world sailed each of her seas
Beheld seven wonders of man
I always come back to find my tack
United again ... with mother ocean

Hoist up the mainsail, unfurl jib
Weigh anchor and let's set sail
Heave Ho, ye mates, the Treasure she waits
Let's find the edge of the earth

And at the crack of each daybreak
I sail with the tide ... united with mother ocean

copyright ©2016 T. Atkinson / E. Davies