The Grey Funnel Line
Cyril Tawney wrote this melancholy song in 1959
whilst stationed in Malta before he left the Royal Navy. The The Grey Funnel
Line is an euphemism for the Navy. The funnels of Royal Navy vessels were
always painted a plain gun-metal grey. The song is about the boredom,
loneliness, and longing for home that afflicts many who work on Naval or
Merchant ships. His songs were covered by Bob Dylan and Pentangle.
The Grey Funnel Line Cyril Tawney schrieb dieses melancholische Lied 1959,
als er in Malta stationiert war, bevor er die Royal Navy verließ. The Grey Funnel
Line ist ein Euphemismus für die Marine. Die Schornsteine von Schiffen der
Royal Navy waren immer in einem schlichten metallischen Grau gestrichen. Das
Lied handelt von der Langeweile, der Einsamkeit und der Sehnsucht nach der
Heimat, unter der viele leiden, die auf Schiffen der Marine oder der
Handelsmarine arbeiten. Seine Lieder wurden von Bob Dylan und Pentangle
gecovert.
Don’t mind the rain or the rolling sea,
the weary night never worries me.
But the hardest time in sailor’s day,
is to watch the sun, as it dies away.
Here’s one more day on the Grey Funnel Line.
The finest ship that sails the sea,
is still a prison for the likes of me.
But give me wings like Noah’s dove,
I’d fly up harbour, to the girl I love.
Here’s one more day on the Grey Funnel Line.
Oh once my heart was wild and free,
like a floating spar on the open sea.
But now the spar is washed ashore,
it comes to rest, at my true love’s door.
Here’s one more day on the Grey Funnel Line.
Oh Lord, if dreams were only real,
I’d have my hands on that wooden wheel.
And with all my heart I’d turn her round,
And tell the boys, that we’re homeward bound.
Here’s one more day on the Grey Funnel Line.
I’ll pass the time like some machine,
until blue water turns to green.
Then I’ll dance on down that walk ashore,
And sail the Grey Funnel Line no more.
And sail the Grey Funnel Line no more.
#folk #folksong #lindau #choir #singersongwriter