[Paulski]

Well this isn't exotic, or erotic or neurotic. But nautical almost rhymes with those words and Martin did say anything goes... 

https://soundcloud.com/paulcanuck/steady-as-she-goes

Steady as She Goes

My neighbour was a sailor
The captain of his ship
He retired to move beside me
Back in 1996
Despite our different ages
We soon became good friends
From our many conversations
Across the picket fence

He told me 'bout his travels
All the flags he'd seen unfurl
And I bemoaned, what seemed to me,
A complicated world
Before too long, he realised
My heart was full of stress
He would seldom offered me advice
But this is what he said:

"Steady as she goes, boy
Steady as she goes
Don't let the waves persuade you
To be heading for the shoals
No storm can last forever
As heavy as it blows
So steady as she goes, boy
Steady as she goes"

It's funny how a turn of phrase
Can navigate your mind
He only had to say it once
To set its sail in mine
And since that day life's roughest waves
Would all but disappear
Every time the captain's words
Reverberated in my ear:

"Steady as she goes, boy
Steady as she goes
Don't let the waves persuade you
To be heading for the shoals
No storm can last forever
As heavy as it blows
So steady as she goes, boy
Steady as she goes"

Then one painful day the Reaper came
And took the Captain's life
I was asked to spread his ashes
To be carried by the tide
Our heroes need a eulogy
To send them on their way
And I struggled for a moment..
then..
I knew just what to say..

Steady as she goes, old boy!
Steady as she goes
Don't let those waves persuade you
To be heading for those shoals
No storm can last forever
No, as heavy as it blows
So steady as she goes, ol' friend
Steady as she goes!

My life was changed forever
Back in 1996
When..
My neighbour
The sailor
Named me captain of my ship.

[MichaelA]

A lovely narrative song there @Paulski and a poignant happy ending too. I like the Celtic style folkie references which suit the maritime theme.

Fab vocal performance, your conviction on that front always sells your songs so well.

A worthy entrant for the comp, whatever the rules are ha! 

[MartynRich]

There are a lot of songs about sailors on the forum recently, must be something in the sea air. This is a lovely Celtic-feeling song - it has a very traditional sound to it. The pipes sound really good as well and compliment the acoustic picking nicely. The piano with the keyboard backing in the M8 was a bit of a surprise but it wasn't out of place at all - it fitted perfectly. You also provide enough variety in the song arrangement to keep it fresh - something that can be difficult with lengthy lyrics. Top job Paul!

[Dogmax]

I waited play back a few times and i heard mate, the piano the best part 

[pompeyjazz]

Lovely piece of music Paul. Back to your more traditional style. I love the story, your vocals are really suited to this sort of song. Some great instrumentation. I love the finger picking, accordion and pipe. Shiver me timbers me hearties 

[adamfarr]

Was there an ‘old sea dog’ competition announcement that I missed? This one conjures a real singalong traditional feeling while still being original which I think is a major triumph. Nice accordion sound, not overused. Pipes definitely calling. The organ didn’t quite match the acoustic theme but still blended extremely nicely too. Nice one.

[ScottLevi]

Hey Paul,

Reading before listening and what a wonderfully constructed lyrics! I'm in awe at how well the story flows, and each line and verse/chorus lead in to each other beautifully. Should know to expect this from you by now but still strikes me every time.

Ah Paul I do really like this musically, the finger picking and soft vocal is dreamy if I may say so. Whistle adds an extra dynamic which I think is well included; I bought an Irish Whistle recently just struggle with the composition.

Thanks for sharing, and good luck in the comp!

Cheers,
Scott.

[rightly]

Oh. I see this as a return to form.
This has both lightness and depth.
An excellent piece of work.

[Skub]

Ahoy Paul. 

I totally love the folky/Celtic vibe deeply rooted in this piece. Surely you have the Orish in ye? Then again who hasn't,me Da had a bicycle. 

The story of the song is ably told (see what I did there  ) You have a gift for conveying sentiment without ever being corny or maudlin. Cleverly crafted.

When are you gonna post up under your real name Randy,instead of using Paulski? 

Love it Paul. 

[Inanité_sonore]

Hey

It's a beautiful song! That reminds me of Donovan. You sing very well. I really like the break around 2 ' 25.

 

IS

[shadowfax]

A life on the ocean wave is certainly much more enjoyable when accompanied by songs of this humongous quality...

you really should write a full on musical mate..amazing stuff!

[mickyplankton]

This is great Paul. Really catchy. Only suggestion for improvement would be backing vocals in the chorus. A good sea shanty should have lots of voices joining in the chorus. Get some mates to sing along and don't worry about harmony. It will sound great

[nooms]

great stuff paul
i agree with the shadowkev ..you should write a musical
gilbert and sullivan meets webb and/or randy as davey was subtly hinting at..
the pipes set the scene perfect as the leading man steps forward..
loverly bounce to it ..
the rabble punters joining in on the chorus.. pint pots rising in the bar..
do you realise the danger of these creations paul !
could have sing songs in pubs again !

[Paulski]

Thanks guys for the warm reception on this one. The closest I've gotten to a nautical life is an old row boat on a small lake so I'm glad it worked for some 

@MichaelA cheers Michael. I hadn't even thought the word Celtic recording this but I guess it is sort of. Now I'll have to get @Jambrains to sing it - he's so good at Celtic. Appreciate the kind words.

@MartynRich Thanks Martyn for sticking your oar in  That's a good thing isn't it? 

@Dogmax cheers Pat - the piano part is a bit of a Segway but I hoped it would fit after a listen or two.

@pompeyjazz thanks John - funny thing is that finger picking is something I'm just learning - so I had to do a lot of takes before I got one or two bars I could loop. Who says cheaters never prosper? 

@adamfarr cheers Adam - the accordion is a sound font called "Italian accordion". I don't know an accordion from a hole in the ground but glad you liked it. Yep the M8 was meant to interrupt the flow but not break it if you catch my meaning 

@ScottLevi thank you Scott - glad you liked the lyrics - they were written first in this one. Now you got me wanting an Irish Whistle too (is that a drink?  )

@Rightly - cheers my good man - maybe I should stick to my knitting! Thanks for the nice comments.

@Skub thanks Davey and for the repost on SC. My wife's great uncle was Irish - does that count? (He was a Boyle on his mother's side  )

@Inanité_sonore - why thank you! Donovan - Mellow Yellow - I'll take that 

@shadowfax well as the pomp says "shiver me timbers" - quite a complement - undeserving of it really but I'll take it just the same - thanks Kev

@mickyplankton thanks Micky - yeah catchy usually means "stolen" but I'm guilty as charged  Maybe we should have a forum reunion party and we'll all sing the chorus together over green beer 

@nooms cheers for that nooms - waiting for Disney to call - they must have lost my number and can't get through. Appreciate the thumbs up on this one.

Hope I didn't leave anyone back at the dock - thanks to you too if I did. 
Paul

[Movin Flavour]

Hi Paul

A beautiful nautical ballad"

Clever lyrics and well sung.

Well played..... Makes you want be on the ship, or have good neighbours.

Sandeep