The Swinging Sailor of Perryman (Kevin Johnston 2004)

Now John Clark Monk was a sailing man, as a skipper he was brave so sure

With a nautical passion that proved so distracting for a maritime entrepreneur.

Master of the mighty chesapeake, a legend in his own mind.

Who’d have believed that his eccentricities would keep him hangin’ round throughout all time.

CHORUS

He’s the swinging sailor of Perryman, on his sea legs he’ll forever stand.

A man obsessed with one last request: To never let his feet touch dry ground.

His tall tall tales of ranting and roaring - have concocted and knocked up with rum,

Were all set aside on the day that he died, when his trip into shore had begun.

With his final breath he gave an order, to a crew so intent to obey

And they did their best with his last request so that captain could have it his own way.

CHORUS

He’s the swinging sailor of Perryman, on his sea legs he’ll forever stand.

A man obsessed with one last request: To never let his feet touch dry ground.

So lower him down, lower him down, lower him down and let’s all sing:

“Old Monk may be gone, but his legend lives on, so lower him down and let him swing.”

So they dressed him up in his Sunday best, and they seasoned his soul with rum.

Then they lowered him down on those anchor chains, a fond farewell to ol’ John Monk.

But in the end there was no sorrow, for his heart was where it always longed to be.

That old salty dog, he came home waterlogged, to his final resting place there by the sea.

CHORUS

He’s the swinging sailor of Perryman, on his sea legs he’ll forever stand.

A man obsessed with one last request: To never let his feet touch dry ground.

So lower him down, lower him down, lower him down and let’s all sing:

“Old Monk may be gone, but his legend lives on, so lower him down and let him swing.”

LOST VERSE

Now that tiny island of Spesutia has managed to somehow survive

And Perryman, yes, she’s had her share of turbulent times and high tides.

But the town, they still tell the story, as John sways underground.

Of those anchor chains still as string today that keep this swinging sailor hangin’ round.

CHORUS

He’s the swinging sailor of Perryman, on his sea legs he’ll forever stand.

A man obsessed with one last request: To never let his feet touch dry ground.

So lower him down, lower him down, lower him down and let’s all sing:

“Old Monk may be gone, but his legend lives on, so lower him down and let him swing.”

From the album: The Swinging Sailor of Perryman

2005 quintmusic