Lyric Break

Because my Friday is going to be a bit packed, I thought I would post another lyric break. Sorry, I just don't have the time.

This time I chose lyrics from one of the most oddly overlooked famous bands, The Beach Boys. I know about everybody knows the big hits like Good Vibrations, I Get Around, or Wouldn't It Be Nice, but few ever mention this gem of a song.

Sail On, Sailor is a song written by the team of Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks, the team behind the legendary Smile album. It was later passed around and given so many facelifts by different people (including the group's manager) that it's amazing the final result as good as it is. A rarity among Beach Boys songs, the lead vocals were preformed by Blondie Chaplin, who delivers a marvelous effort. It was released in 1973 as a single and more or less flopped, to the surprise of nobody, because 1973 was a terrible year for music, so it doesn't surprise me that nobody would pick this to listen to when there were so many terrible songs to listen to instead. After all, it isn't a meandering mess of a song, it gets to the point, and is beautiful, which is something music from the '70s rarely is.

Over the years it has gotten to be a cult favorite among fans, but I truly believe it should be better known. But, hey, that's what the lyrics are for. Give these a read and you can judge for yourself. See you next week!

"Sail On, Sailor"

By: Brian Wilson, Van Dyke Parks, Tandyn Almer, Ray Kennedy, Jack Rieley

I sailed an ocean, unsettled ocean

Through restful waters and deep commotion

Often frightened, unenlightened

Sail on, sail on, sailor

I wrest the waters, fight Neptune's waters

Sail through the sorrows of life's marauders

Unrepenting, often empty

Sail on, sail on, sailor

Caught like a sewer rat alone but I sail

Bought like a crust of bread, but, oh, do I wail

Seldom stumble, never crumble

Try to tumble, life's a rumble

Feel the stinging I've been given

Never ending, unrelenting

Heartbreak searing, always fearing

Never caring, persevering

Sail on, sail on, sailor

I work the seaways, the gale-swept seaways

Past shipwrecked daughters of wicked waters

Uninspired, drenched and tired

Wail on, wail on, sailor

Always needing, even bleeding

Never feeding all my feelings

Damn the thunder, must I blunder

There's no wonder all I'm under

Stop the crying and the lying

And the sighing and my dying

Sail on, sail on, sailor