Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin)

Goodbye, little Robin-Marie Don't try following me Don't cry, little Robin-Marie 'Cause you know I'm coming home soon My ships' leaving on a three-year tour The next tide will take us from shore Windlaced, gather in sail and spray On a search for the mighty sperm whale Fly your willow branches Wrap your body round my soul Lay down your reeds and drums on my soft sheets There are years behind us reaching To the place where hearts are beating And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet Starbuck's sharpening his harpoon The black man is playing his tune An old salt's sleeping his watch away He'll be drunk again before noon Three years sailing on bended knee We found no whales in the sea Don't cry, little Robin-Marie 'Cause we'll be in sight of land soon Fly your willow branches Wrap your body round my soul Lay down your reeds and drums on my soft sheets There are years behind us reaching To the place where hearts are beating And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet