"Crewing Together Again"

David Townsend (7 Nov 2003)

I'm not long in following you,
My dear Captain Bligh.
For when I signed on board the Bounty,
I really knew not why.

My brother says its'for a grand adventure,
But he too has passed away.
For I was just a young boy then,
Spouting my top and having my way.

I was twenty years old, when I signed on that day.
I wish that I had only seen,
That I would end up on this rock,
No longer caulking Bounty's decks or anywhere inbetween.

Black whiskers had I, and proud I was too
A young able body to set Bounty's sails.
A cankerous lad when spent in a Pub or two,
Enjoying Portsmouth and putting away the ale.

What I'd give to be back in England,
Just to have a word or two.
With me ole pop and me mum,
Back home with family and friends.

Aye, Captain Bligh,
I wish we'd not set you adrift
Wished I could have put things right,
But all I can do is sigh.

I felt your 'lash' on the outward bound,
Insubordinate/mutineous behavior says Fryer.
It was just a gesture says I,
I still feel it, I still see it, I still hear the sound.

You'd not be a Captain,
And the Bounty'd not be a ship.
If lashes were not given to the crew,
Will the Royal Navy ever loosen its grip?

It was my first voyage with you,
A grand adventure indeed.
A Breadfruit voyage to OTahiti
Where the lagoons are so warm and blue.

Such a time was never to be sad,
In experiencing Tahitian charms.
It was such a happy time for me,
Now I miss out on what I could have had.

I was a young man when the mutiny came about,
It wasn't because of Fletcher's tentrum,
That I had a change of heart.
I tired of your orders that you would shout.

But now I wished I had listened,
As I am old and understand.
You were my Captain, Mr. Bligh,
And now I'm just an old man.

It is this day I find,
That below decks you have gone.
Just Purcell and I are left,
I understand he spends his days in song.

Well Captain, in this voyage I'm still signed on.
Though you've gone down below,
I'm still on deck for a while,
You see, I have to carry on.

I miss my ship mates of the old Bounty,
They'll forever be on my mind.
I think about them so often
Though I feel you think I am unkind.

So Captain, an old man like yourself,
Its' late, but I can understand.
I can forgive though not forget,
Is it the same for you as a man?

We'll be crewing together again, Captain,
As my time is drawing near.
We'll all obey your orders this time.
As all my shipmates are with you again.

And our beloved Bounty will be again under sail.
As we cruise the uncharted heavens,
To search for a bountyful fruit to bring home.
Our eternal loyality will prevail.