The Man Who Left Without Leave

There once was a sailor
He sailed the seven seas
He knew the difference
'tween a storm and a breeze!
A master of scrambling
'twixt stern and the sails
Not to mention his strength
(Dude was tough as nails!)

He'd fought in all weather
'gainst pirates and scum
Who'd rather steal from others
and get drunk on rum
than earn themselves wages
in an honest day's work
Our sailor, of course,
was himself: not a shirk!

He obeyed his captain
And sailed 'cross the seas
He worked as a servant
Pouring Captain's tea
And earned enough money
Which he set aside
Then one day he vanished
Simply gone with the tide

He jumped ship at Singapore
And left without leave
He crawled down the anchor
And crept onto shore

When Monday came around
He failed to show up for roll
The captain was furious
But the sea takes a toll
"I've no patience for drifters!
Damn, it's too late" he cried
And ordered his ship
To drift out with the tide

So our sailor remained there
On shore leave forever
Though he'd always be watching
In all kinds of weather
For the Navy is not tolerant
For the sake of its mission
Of those men who drop anchor
Without Captain's permission.

He's an old man by now
Still living down by the bay
I sit at his feet and have to
Laugh to hear him say,
"They'll be coming one day
you know, for me, young Jim
I need you to watch,
And learn how to swim.
And tie knots each day
Learn your guns and your sails!
Then one day you too
Can be quite tough as nails.
And then you'll protect me!
Don't let 'em drag me away!
'Cause you know they'll be coming
Some warm summer day."

The Navy never did come
The bay still is clear
They've forgotten that old sailor
Just a few miles away from here
He's old and decrepit
But, oh, sakes alive
He's a feisty old geezer
With a passion and drive
And that fear of the Navy
Prob'ly keeps him up nights
Yet I know when they do come,
They'll find themselves a fight!