How the heck did it become a love song?
The song is dedicated to Owen Coffin.
Goodbye, little Robin-Marie
Don't try following me
Don't cry, little Robin-Marie'
Cause you know I'm coming home soon
My ships' leaving on a three-year tour
The next tide will take us from shore
Windlaced, gather in sail and spray
On a search for the mighty sperm whale
Fly your willow branches
Wrap your body round my soul
Lay down your reeds and drums on my soft sheets
There are years behind us reaching
To the place where hearts are beating
And I know you're the last true love
I'll ever meet
Starbuck's sharpening his harpoon
The black man's playing his tune
An old salt's sleeping his watch away
He'll be drunk again before noon
Three years sailing on bended knee
We found no whales in the sea
Don't cry, little Robin-Marie
'Cause we'll be in sight of land soon
4 comments:
I thought it was just a young whaler missing his girl. Never knew who Owen Coffin was until now.
Being a member of Greenpeace, I wouldn't give this song the time of day.
Dude...you've surely read my posts about how I LOVE whales. EVERYTHING about 'em!
I know it's just a song..but it's about killing a freakin' whale!!!!
Hmmm. Interesting. I appreciate the posts. This has brought a new meaning to the song for me. Before, it was a cool Mountain song that I have been listening to since about 1971. I had no idea what the lyrics were about, I thought a "Nantucket Sleighride" was about winter in New England.
Silly Me. Still, my favorite Mountain song but now, knowing it's meaning, I must say it doesn't mean what it used to. Thanks for the posts, friends.
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