NaPoWriMo April 4th - Sea Shanty

Sea Shanty (or a vain attempt at one, sometimes seafarers just make shit up and call it a song...)


Before I learned to read and write
before I started school
my parents had me memorize
Psalm 23.

They’d take me to recite it,
at church, where ever they’d go
I got each word and sentence right
I could say it fast, or slow.

Before I learned to read and write
before I started school
my parents had me memorize
Psalm 23.

In time I learned to trust it,
the words and rhythms there
it seemed to me robust enough
To deal with every care.

Before I learned to read and write
before I started school
my parents had me memorize
Psalm 23.

Years later when I put out to sea
They said, “no shepherds here!”
I said, “my Lord is here with me,”
My shepherd’s everywhere.

Years later when I put out to sea
They said, “no shepherds here!”
I said, “my Lord is here with me,”
My shepherd’s everywhere.

Before I learned to read and write
before I started school
my parents had me memorize
Psalm 23.

We surfaced in a raging storm
The waves washed o’er the bridge
I reached to call “Man overboard!”
My mate had disappeared.

Before I learned to read and write
before I started school
my parents had me memorize
Psalm 23.

It was a silly prank
He hid beneath the hatch.
It was a silly prank.
He hid beneath the hatch.

Before I learned to read and write
before I started school
my parents had me memorize
Psalm 23.

I shall not want.
I shall fear no evil.
My cup runneth over.
I will dwell in the house forever.

I shall not want.
I shall fear no evil.
My cup runneth over.
I will dwell in the house forever.