The Boat Namer

by @phylo

Liner Notes

I have a good friend who is knockin' at the door to 80 year old. For his entire career, he designed and painted, often with gold leaf, the names on boats. There are plenty of little harbors and docks everywhere here in the Bay Area, so back in the day, he was quite busy. It's slowing down now due to his age, but also boat names are generated by computer. This is for George. #seashanty-ish #folk #waltz

Lyrics

For fifty years his brush has danced On hulls where waves and wind romanced A steady hand, an artist's care He paints the dreams that sailors bear

'Elysium' or 'Rose of the Sea' Each with a promise of destiny With gold-stained fingers, anchors aweigh He daubs their stories the live-long day

He knows the weight each name can hold The journeys taken and the tall tales told An artist bound to tides and foam The harbor calls, he feels at home

Now shadows lengthen, his strokes grow slow Yet every boat, he paints will eventually go Across the vast and uncharted blue Bearing all loves that he ever knew Bearing all loves that he ever knew

Comments

[avatar]

What a beautiful tribute. This is the story of a gift, the gift of the craftsman to name and uniquely paint the names on boats, and a gift of the promise of many safe journeys. I think you hit right where you were aiming.

[avatar]

A sweet slightly melancholic tribute to both your friend and the boats, and the hopes and desires. It's a strange world the boat world, believe me. Not an ocean-crosser (at least not in anything under 30,000 tons!) but still a local voyager, and I see most of the boat dreams tied up...well mien is, now, but there are Reasons. So this song tugs at the hearts strings,

[avatar]

What a cool tribute to your friend! The music definitely gives a cool laid back sailing vibe, I think the harmonica really brought it all together. Love it!!

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