Free download
Song Info
Genre
Charts
#511 in subgenre
Peak #2
Author
Cyril Tawney
Uploaded
December 28, 2011
Track Files
MP3
MP3 3.7 MB • 127 kbps • 4:04
Story behind the song
This song refers to the Royal British Merchant Marine. Most merchant ship lines had an insignia on their smokestacks, or funnels, of the company they belonged to. The Royal British Merchant Marine had no such insignia, so their funnels were plain metal grey. Hence the name the Grey Funnel Line.
This song refers to the choice every sailor must make, whether to heed the call of the sea, which will tolerate no other lover, or to abandon the sea and follow his heart.
I have changed the lyrics slightly, referring to sailing ships rather than steam ships. An anachronism, to be sure, but since this song is sung at Renn Faires everywhere, I think I am allowed a bit of leaway.
Lyrics
Don't mind the rain o'er the rolling sea
The weary night never worries me
But the hardest time in a sailor's day
Is to watch the sun as it dies away
Here's one more day on the Grey Funnel Line
The finest ship that sails the sea
Is still a prison for the likes of me
But give me wings like Noah's dove
I'll fly above her to the girl I love
Here's one more day on the Grey Funnel Line
Oh, once my heart was wild and free
Like a flashing spar on the open sea
But now that spar has washed ashore
And come to rest at my true love's door
Here's one more day on the Grey Funnel Line
Each time I gaze behind the sails
Makes me more long for the western gales
I'll dance on down that silver lane
And take my girl in my arms again
Here's one more day on the Grey Funnel Line
Oh Lord, if dreams were only real
I'd put my hands on that wooden wheel
And with all my heart I'd turn her 'round
And tell the boys that we're homeward bound
Here's one more day on the Grey Funnel Line
I'll pass the time like some machine
Until blue waters turn to green
Then I'll dance on down that walk ashore
And sail the Grey Funnel Line no more
And sail the Grey Funnel Line no more
And sail the Grey Funnel Line no more
And sail the Grey Funnel Line no more
And sail the Grey Funnel Line no more
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