Lincoln Ross Colcord

Envoy

Captain, Captain, heavy squall in sight;
Just took in the royals, ship she jumps like mad.
Somethin' on the weather bow, looks like a light.
Better come on deck, Sir, things is black and bad.

Captain's sleepin' – don't disturb his rest.
Hard time's over – hardest you have known.
He's brought you through it – showed you what was best.
Let him get his sleep, now – stand your watch alone.

Captain, Captain, night's a lonesome spell,
White foam a-slippin' past, empty sky and sea.
Ain't you got no stories like you used to tell?
Ain't you comin' up soon and talk awhile with me?

Captain's sleepin' – the long watch below.
Sleepin' so peaceful – let him sleep away.
Sea ain't lonesome – men have loved it so.
Sky ain't empty – God's up there, they say.

Captain, Captain, daybreak shows the land!
Can't you come on deck, Sir? – the shore's a livin' green.
Here's them little hillocks, we made it where you planned.
What's the use o' seein' things that you ain't seen?

Captain's sleepin' – dreamin' in his sleep,
Dreamin' of the landfalls off beyond the main,
Coasts that smell o' flowers, harbors broad and deep,
Ships a-pullin' homeward, and sailors home again.