| Procol Harum – A Salty Dog Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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A most haunting account - ‘fulllmoon2000’ (above) nailed it very well with some help from ‘ASaltyDog’. Please indulge this interpretation: Synopsis: The after death impressions of a sailor during his very emotional and uncertain voyage to the ‘Eternal Shore’. 'All hands on deck, we've run afloat!' I heard the captain cry. The ship is afloat again after the fatal shipwreck — however, now in the astral plane. Afloat: Of a vessel which is floating freely (not aground or sunk). 'Explore the ship, replace the cook. Let no one leave alive!' Search the ship for anyone (who may be doing routine chores) pretending to themselves that they are still alive — they must face fact. No one can proceed under such delusion. Across the straits, around the horn: How far can sailors fly? A twisted path, our tortured course, And no one left alive. A very distant and difficult voyage preceded the fatal shipwreck. How could they possibly return home? We sailed for parts unknown to man, Where ships come home to die No lofty peak, nor fortress bold, Could match our captain's eye. Now sailing in an astral purgatory, they trust the captain’s perseverance amidst mirages and illusions in finding the Eternal Shore. Upon the seventh seasick day We made our port of call. A sand so white, and sea so blue, No mortal place at all. Having, in much angst, purged their ‘sins’ (hates, fears, hurts, longings, etc.) from all six planes of form, they reached their destination on the seventh. No mortal place indeed! We fired the gun, and burnt the mast, And rowed from ship to shore The captain cried, we sailors wept: Our tears were tears of joy. Thoroughly exhausted, empty, and profoundly grateful, they are Home. Now many moons and many Junes have passed since we made land. The earthly life is hardly remembered now. A salty dog, this seaman's log: Your witness my own hand. “This is my experience.” |
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