Nantucket

I come from an island, an islander's ways Breakers and Quakers and few of us stray Hunting the oceans with men that won't tire Nantucket sleigh rides and chimneys afire Some may be wary and won't understand Trading a spear for a flag in the hand A jetsam that rides 'pon some shipping out east Out to go hunting a different beast Fire flies from the long nines Shot-handlers run about The captain says we'll holler As though there was some doubt And as we blow on the matches And brace to take the shock My mind is in Nantucket Hauling whale meat into dock I'm not used to bracing in weather so calm Still making cheer when I hear the alarm As iron and fire knock nails from the stern The shores are no longer my biggest concern Our skipper is canny, a droll kind of soul He never sulked and he's still cracking jokes Ah, Mr Starbuck, your aim is quite rare Well, I aim to sink her beyond disrepair Fire flies from the long nines Shot-handlers run about The captain says we'll holler As though there was some doubt And as we blow on the matches And brace to take the shock My mind is in Nantucket Hauling whale meat into dock History favours the bold and the brave Conquer the mountains and weather the waves Now I'm away with all liberty's sons Off down the channel to stand by the guns Fire flies from the long nines Shot-handlers run about The captain says we'll holler As though there was some doubt And as we blow on the matches And brace to take the shock My mind is in Nantucket Hauling whale meat into dock Fire flies from the long nines Shot-handlers run about The captain says we'll holler As though there was some doubt And as we blow on the matches And brace to take the shock My mind is in Nantucket Hauling whale meat into dock