When I was a boy of 17

I paid allegiance to a dream

And stole on board the Queen of Mandalay

I knew that she was Asia bound

And there were treasures to be found

With many ports of call along the way

When we were safely out at sea

I went to join the company

The men on board soon taught me how to sail

I was young and I learned fast

To tie a knot and climb a mast

The captain told me “Son, you’re doing well”

There was a song that we all sang along

“Oh, spare us from the rage of the sea…”

Went down the coast of Africa

And set a course for India

When suddenly a storm began to blow

The waves came up and the ship went down

And men were drowning all around

I washed up on an island all alone

I heard the song that we all sang along

It echoed in the wind and through the trees

Many moons went slowly by

Thought I’d be there til I died

And I would never see my home again

But then one day out of the blue

A friendly ship came into view

That’s when I knew my solitude would end

I taught them the song and we all sang along

“Oh, spare us from the rage of the sea…”