The Boatman

On that stormy morn, on the rocky cliffs walked I

Underneath the billowing clouds, through the sad winds sigh

I looked out to the swirling ocean, there atop a wave

rowed a lonely boatman sure to meet his watery grave

furious rowing

Wind was howling

grey wave rose and

crashed upon the rocks

furious rowing

wind was howling

he was at the

mercy of God

I broke my spell, and ran down the rocky path

to a shore that was sheltered from the dark ocean’s wrath

but the foolish boatman was still far out, and my fear:

he’d be dashed upon the rocks before he made it here

I tried to shout and call for help and on my knees I tried to pray, but

my voice was whisked away, just a whisper in a crowded room

but I was all alone, a creature frightened on the shore

there was nothing that I could do to save the helpless boatman

so I watched him as he struggled, ’till he could struggle no more

He was coming in, slow, but sure that he would land

but the ocean couldn’t allow it, no it wouldn’t let this stand

it sent forth a lusty wave that broke his boat, it was so strong

and the poor boatman with the churning waves was swept along

I ran onto the rocks, prepared to save the drowning boatman

but he had disappeared, the selfish ocean swallowed him

and as I lay weeping for his life in the rain

his poor maiden waited by the window for her young boatman

whom her poor eyes would never see again