Sea Song
When I was young and reckless
and I looked to make my name
I signed aboard the Constance,
a ship of minor fame,
and if my life turned hellwards
well, it's there I'll lay the blame,
for our captain sought the kraken
the monstrous, mythic kraken,
our bold captain sought the kraken,
and thus I too did the same.
We traveled to the Azores
those bright gems of green and blue,
where the women all were bonny
and the ale was rich and true
and I tossed away my wages
on dark eyes and darker brew,
for their rumor said the kraken,
the foul, and much-feared kraken,
local rumor said the kraken
had traveled that way too.
So our captain he consulted
with the old folk and the wise,
loaded up our holds with livestock,
sailed out under greying skies,
then he tossed the creatures seawards,
all uncaring of their cries,
and it's there we saw the kraken,
the gore-drenched, murderous kraken
yes, it's there we saw the kraken
rising up before our eyes.
It had arms as thick as tree trunks,
it had eyes as black as hell,
and from round its head coursed music
strong as any witch's spell.
It reached upwards for our captain
where he stood above the swell …
and he reached back towards the kraken,
the grim, beguiling kraken,
he reached out to stroke the kraken …
and he smiled down as he fell.
The thing twisted in the water
with a smooth and supple grace,
then it drew the captain under
and was gone without a trace,
and as one we sailors labored
to speed, weeping, from that place
where our captain met the kraken,
the cold, spell-binding kraken,
where our captain found his kraken
and he died in its embrace.
Now the years lie heavy on me,
and my memories last too long,
and I've sons to follow after,
growing brave, and good, and strong,
but some instinct deep within me
sends me where I now belong,
so I'll go to find the kraken,
that strange, familiar kraken,
I'll sail out to find my kraken …
and I'll join it in its song.