Compass and Chart Songtext

von Iain Matthews

Oh there once was a sailor marooned on dry land
A voyageless captain a crewless command
With the wind in his hair he's a sight to behold
But an oceanless sailor will not be consoled

He once was a young man and not unlike me
With the chart and the compass for his guarantee
With a hand on the wheel and a full magazine
If you'd known young Riley you'd know what l mean

Oh he would not hold fast there was no compromise
It was full speed ahead take them all by surprise
The greatest ot sailors changed course and heaved to
For Benjamin Riley, his ship, and his crew

Oh oh anchors away
Live for the giving day after day
Oh oh laugh and be sad
Just believe in yourself and trust in your God

Now most men I know you would not see for dust
As their passion tor treasure turned into a lus
T And Ben the adventurer was still unprepared
When purely by chance he discovered it there

Oh it danced and it sparkled, it beckoned, it cried
Please keep me and take me along for the ride
For you know I can make you a young millionaire
Come now, Captain Riley, you don 't have a prayer

Oh for all of your shining I don't give a damn
And you will not distract me from what I've begun
For the stars are my sisters the sea is my heart
And I will not be drawn from this compass and chart

Oh oh anchors away
Live for the giving day after day
Oh oh laugh and be sad
Just believe in yourselt and trust in your God

So they hoisted the anchor and folded the chain
As he pointed her eastward and back home again
It was seventeen days it was sixteen long nights
Before he encountered the strangest of sights

They came down to meet him and took him by force
And they questioned his morals for leaving that purse
Saying we made you a captain a company man
But now seaman Riley y ou don't suit our plans

Oh oh anchors away
Live for the giving day after day
Oh oh laugh and be sad
Just believe in yourself and trust in your God

Oh they've taken his vessel and paid off the crew
And they've taken his charts and his compasses too
But Benjamin Riley he still has the heart
And the will and the spirit he's had from the start

Oh there once was a sailor marooned on dry land
A voyageless captain
A missionless man