March 21: Tales of Jack Tar

There once was a sailor, his name was Jack Tar

Spent his days chipping paint, and his nights in a bar

Had a straggly beard and loads of tattoos

Of tall ships and maidens, and his sweetheart’s name too

Of all of his squaries, he loved her the most

He told just that, every day in the post

He wrote of his love and how he missed her so bad

But never once mentioned the others he had

Now Jack loved a beer and he loved to tell tales

Of pods of sweet mermaids and humungous sized whales

Never was one to the let the truth interfere

As he cast out his spell as he sipped on his beer

The young sailors would gather as Jack he did speak

Every night in the bar, his tales were unique

He spoke of the times he had the times of his life

And of the girls in each port, and of getting into strife

He told his stories with passion, with pride and with feeling

And his eyes would mist over when spoke of hearts stealing

He talked of the seas, of the fear and respect

As waves punched the foc’sle, he never knew what was next

He told of his Captains, he loved every one

Guardians of sailors, but always up for a run

He told of his pride, as he carried the Ensign

And never one word of cashing his pension

Jack Tar was a legend, everyone one knew

But he was just made of parts, from me and from you

All the passion we hold of our time on the oceans

There’s mist in our eyes as we feel the emotions

Old sailors don’t die, they just turn to salt

Full of good deeds, but still with their faults

A million good turns, outweighs all the bad

Jack Tar was a sailor, best mate I ever had