Ride the wild waves and taste the salty air as you listen to this classic sea shanty. My inspiration is taken from the Titanic story, but it's played out in the Gulf Island waterways. A bygone friend fell in love with a fishing boat that went for what he said was a song. He revved the motor and headed out to live the life of his dreams. As fate would have it, the ocean had something else in mind. When a gigantic log tore through the hull, inviting a flood of water in, the captain wasn't going down with his ship. Paddling to shore in his dingy, he wept as he watched his new acquisition slip beneath the dark, cold waves.
Luckily, our boats did not sink as we paddled the Coquitlam River to the Fraser just last week. However our towels and clothes got a little damp on the journey. Speaking of wet towels, I twisted up one to produce the sound effects of the rigging snapping. In my life, I've discovered that I'm the kind of guy who likes to eat fish and not fish fish. By the way, no fish were harmed in the making of this Smokeywine saga, however, there may have been a few broken guitar strings and fiddle bow hairs. (smokeywine.com) We pulled out some cool percussion instruments such as the rain stick, chimes, dinner bell and storm tube for more drama.
This folk ballad has strong, passionate lyrics, reminiscent of a Stan Rogers song of old. Lea's dad, Dan Lybarger, requested that we do an acapella version so you can listen to both on my songs page and let me know which version of 'Gone Fishing' you like the best. Dan said it gave him shivers and goosebumps. Lea leasheldan.com) supplied some haunting harmonies while Bohdan Siedlecki flourished on the violin, playing multiple layers of marvelous melodies. Of course, I pick all the guitar parts on my Larrivee acoustic for the pleasure of my listeners in places like Greece, Belgium, Murfreesboro, Evansville and Squamish. Thank you for supporting organic, homegrown music and local artists. As the song says, fight against the fury and ride the boiling caps until we meet again, matey. Mark Sheldan
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Sing along with the lyrics below:
Gone Fishing
The ocean shows no mercy if the riggin’ snaps
And the keel below wrestles with the brine
We fight against the fury and ride the boiling caps
Till we finally rest on the weary shores of time
Oh we leave today on a dark and dreary morning
As the teeth of the north wind bite the sail
There’s money to be made and plenty fish a-waiting
I dream of the day when I'm water bound no more
For the ocean shows no mercy if the riggin’ snaps
And the keel below wrestles with the brine
We fight against the fury and ride the boiling caps
Till we finally rest on the weary shores of time
We’re bound for fishing far from the shoreline
Where the green-white foam beats the side
We’ll chase the schools till our nets are a-bursting
We'll haul in our bounty from the wild northern tide
The ocean shows no mercy if the riggin’ snaps
And the keel below wrestles with the brine
We fight against the fury and ride the boiling caps
Till we finally rest on the weary shores of time
Storm clouds rage thundering above us
Winds of ice freeze my blood and bones
There’s doubt and fear all across the harbour
Every soul among us wishes they were home
Skies of ink shattering with lightning
As we sail through the eye of the storm
I know my darling is waiting and a-praying
For the One who walked on water to bring us safely home
For the ocean shows no mercy if the riggin’ snaps
And the keel below wrestles with the brine
We fight against the fury and ride the boiling caps
Till we finally rest on the weary shores of time
Till we finally rest on the weary shores of time
written by Mark Sheldan
copyright 2005 Socan
'Ghost Ship' acrylic on canvas by Mark Sheldan
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