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Laugh While You May

by Gráinneog

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1.
Empire Star 03:11
Well as I went a cruising down by KGV, a rusty old tramp ship I happened to see. The Empire Star was the old steamer's name. She was bound out for Kiwi and back home again. Ch. Heave away. Heave away! Frome the lighthouse to the shitehouse is a bloody long way. Well the cook he was trying to poison the crew. We don't know what this is but he calls it a stew. It's the funniest old mixture that we've ever seen. It reminds us distintly of carbolisene Well of shit on the poop deck there is not a trace. And the Old Man walks round with a big smile on his face. But he'll have a blue fit once he sees all the shit, that's hiding behind every lynch pin and bit Well the chief engineer sat there sipping a beer. When he was struck in the eye by some shit off the gear. Now you'll see him down Queen Street with ahole in his eye. He was blinded by bullshit on the old Blue Star Line. Well our Bosun you know him for he wears a peaked cap. He sends us to smoko and says 'Hurry back.' But when we got to Auckland we all got the sack. For we fucked off to smoko and never came back.
2.
Pull up a stump and lend an ear a story I'll relate. About a sinful waste of beer I will elucidate. And tell of how calamity struck Wapakiwi Town, and caused a gruesome tragedy, the day the pub burned down. The boys had gathered at the bar upon that fateful day. By horse and foot and motorcar they all had made their way. While listening to Manuka Joe, New Zealand's finest liar, we heard the cry that chilled our bones, 'The flamin' pub's on fire!' There'd been a drought for weeks and weeks, the tanks and wells were dry. No water flowed along the creek, we had no town supply. The blazing sun without relent, turned all the green to brown. Imagine our predicament, the day the pub burned down. Through smoke and flame we dragged the beer to safety out the door. Then thought of what we stood to lose and rushed back in for more. 'Stand by, the fire brigade is here, those men of high renown!' 'Oh firemen, firemen save the beer and let the pub burn down!' They stoved the tops of barrels in while strong men knelt to pray. They shoved their flippin' hoses in and shouted 'Pumps Away!' The fought with beer and lemonade that raging fire to drown. We cursed and fought the fire brigade, the day the pub burned down. Now morepork haunt the old pub site round Wapakiwi Town. And shikkers roam the hills at night to hunt those firemen down. They curse the cash they cannot send, their raging thirsts to drown. Dry horrors drove 'em round the bend the day the pub burned down. Dry horrors drove us round the bend.. The day the pub burned down!
3.
Oh the southern ocean is a lonely place Where the storms are many and the shelter's scarce Down upon the southern ocean sailing Down below Cape Horn On the restless water and the troublin' skies You can see that mollymawk wheel and fly Down upon the southern ocean sailing Down below Cape Horn Won't you ride the wind and go, white seabird Won't you ride the wind and go, molly-morg Down upon the southern ocean sailing Down below Cape Horn See the mollymawk floatin' on his wide white wings And lord, what a lonely song he sings And he's got no compass and he's got no gear And there's none can tell ya how the mollymawk steers He's the ghost of a sailor-man as I've heard say Who's body sank, and his soul flew away And he's got no haven and he's got no home He's bound evermore for to wheel and roam When I gets too weary for to sail no more just sink my body far away from shore Just set me loose and leave me driftin' free And I'll keep that big bird company
4.
Some great philosophers once told us Always look on the bright side of life. Don't give in to the hardship the sorrow and pain As you stagger through days full of strife. 'Cos there's just one thing to remember As you rise up to greet dawn each day That the cloud's silver lining is there if you look So remember to laugh while you may. Those who first came to this strange land In the wakas and tall ships of old. Knew hunger and hardship and terror and loss As across the wide ocean they rolled. But the promise of new life it drove them To a fresh start they all made their way And they knew that the one thing the ocean will teach you Is always to laugh while you may. If you search in the hills or the valleys For kauri, pounamou or gold, Let you footsteps be bold as you stride across mountains Or wade through rivers so cold. And sing round the campfire each evening In the huts and the tents where you stay And take heed of the song on the icy cold wind That reminds you to laugh while you may. On those days when the clouds hide the sunlight. And the sky it turns icy and grey And you grieve for a friend or companion Whom death called too swiftly away Make sure that you never forget them Those comrades who fell by the way And honour their memories The best way you can By remembering to laugh while you may. Does your wage cover only the basics Has life cast you off to one side Does the cursed gig economy hold you in thrall While the bosses richly do thrive Remember there's power in a union And that each dog must sure have its day And laughter will carry us through these hard times If we make sure to march while we may Are you shut once again in seclusion From tempest and sickness outside Are your doors shut and bolted against cruel fate From oppression and war do you hide? Let the hope in your heart never falter Know the bad times must soon fade away And may the song that we sing be the one that reminds us To love and to laugh while we may.
5.
In nineteen hundred and forty three, the Americans they came from the land of the free. The grandsons of soldiers who'd fought to keep slaves, sailed to New Zealand from over the waves. One night in April we went out on the town. We had George and Shane Harris,The Twins and Mike Brown. Mike owed some money down in our local pub, so we went to the Allied Serviceman's Club. Well Harry he rolled up and he bought our first round. When out from the Yanks came this rumbling sound. Some old boy from Georgia stood tall to his feet, He said 'We don't drink with darkies, get back out on the street.' Mike's face was thunder as black as the night. Harry was smiling, always up for a fight. 'If we were back in your swamps then we might let that pass, but you're in Wellington now, SIT BACK DOWN ON YOUR ARSE!' The Yanks strode towards us like they had no fear. Harry was smiling as he put down his beer. The Twins grabbed some pool cues from next to the bar, to show how Ngā Puhi used their old taiaha. Some Kiwi lads came to shore up our line. Harry was taking them three at a time. And we whistled old Dixie back into the street, to the tune of the whistles of the Military police. More Kiwi lads came to help us along. Our fight was soon over one thousand men strong. There were chippies and sparkies with their fists flying free. Set the Yanks on the train to Paekakariki. Looking around us, our way being clear. Back to the club then to finish our beer. Surrounded by yanks but still unscathed himself, we heard Harry roar, 'IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?'
6.
John Jack, John Jack, tell me where you're sailing. Wild West Coast, Wild West Coast, Greymouth Town me darlin'. Greymouth Town me darlin'. John Jack, John Jack, tell me what's your cargo. Flour and beer and tea and such, minor stores me darlin' minor stores me darlin' John Jack, John Jack, when are you departing? 19th June, 19th June, a Winter's trip me darlin' Winter's trip me darlin' John Jack, John Jack, the ship is heavy laden, Cargo hold's all battened down, there's no more room me darlin' no more room me darlin' John Jack, John Jack, the shortest day she's close now. Short along, we're outward bound, outward bound me darlin' outward bound me darlin' John Jack, John Jack, the sea is getting gloomy Roaring Forties mighty strong, it's too strong me darlin' too strong me darlin' John Jack, John Jack, where are you my darlin'? Eliza Simms is lost at sea, it's fare thee well me darlin' fare thee well me darlin'
7.
Come all ye tonguers and land loving lubbers, Here's a job cutting in, and boiling down blubber It's a job for the youngster, the old or the ailing, The agent will grab any man for shore whaling.. I am paid in soap,and sugar and rum for cutting down whale and boiling down tongue the agent's fee makes my blood so to boil I'll push him in a hot pot of oil Go hang the agent and company too they're making a fortune off me and off you there's no chance of a passage from out of this place and the price of living's a bloomin' disgrace..
8.
Bright fine gold, Bright fine gold. One a pecker, Tuapeka, Bright fine gold. Spend it in the winter Or die in the cold. One a pecker, Tuapeka Bright fine gold Some are sons of fortune, And so I came to see That the riches of those river beds Are not for such as me. I'm weary of Otago I'm weary of the snow, And if I could strike it rich then away I'd go.
9.
The city roar is in my ears, the glare is in my eyes. Yet in my heart I long to see those sunny central skies. That stretch away and disappear behind those peaks of snow, and hear the magpies singing, down a country road I know. There are shearing sheds I shore in, that are scattered on the way. And I seem to hear the clatter, of the cutters making play. And the laughter of the shearers, from the days of long ago, when they called me Jim the Ringer, down a country road I know. How I raced to hold the ringer's place, and shear it number one. Chased by the shearers in the gang, and every bloke a gun. The white wool seemed to fall away, 'neath every perfect blow, with just half a sheep between us, down a country road I know. The roustabouts were running, from the tables and the port, with the fleeces and the pieces, which were classed, a-binned and stored While the blokes who worked the woolpress, how they made those levers go, as the bales were sewn and branded, down a country road I know. When the hard day's work was over, and the sun lies in the west. And the vivid flash of evening stained that far off mountain's breast, we would share a smoke and bottle as we watched the shadows grow, and lengthen into to darkness, down a country road I know. But the past is gone forever, and the future is yet to be. while changes made and chances lost, have left their mark on me. Still I'd like again to wander, where the sunsets come and go, in old Otago central, down a country road I know..
10.
Heading south we're homeward bound Catlins River is calling me.. Blow ye fair winds, favours done Catlins River is calling me home. The voyage north was strong enough, Catlins River is calling me.. Decks awash and raging rough Catlins River is calling me home. Cook Strait you raging hell, Catlins River is calling me.. Our schooner rose, and then she fell. Catlins River is calling me home. Greymouth's cursed and Westport too. Catlins River is calling me.. Lost both anchors in Timaru Catlins River is calling me home. Thirty days we're overdue. Catlins River is calling me.. Nearly home sad, weary crew. Catlins River is calling me home. It's crystal clear and it's calm tonight, Catlins River is calling me.. On we pass the Nuggets Light Catlins River is calling me home. False islet is on my right, Catlins River is calling me.. Shorten sails and hang on tight. Catlins River is calling me home. Across the bar it's calm and it's still. Catlins River is calling me.. Ghostly cloud hangs over the Moon. Catlins River is calling me home. Oh England oh here's to you. Catlins River is calling me.. It's best that you look for another crew Catlins River is calling me home. Oh England oh here's to you. Catlins River is calling me.. It's best that you look for another crew For Catlins bush is calling me home.
11.
I thought I heard the Old Man say, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! Tomorrow is your sailing day! John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! Too-Rye-Ay, oh Too-Rye-Ay! John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! I thought I heard the bosun say, There's work tomorrow but no work today. Oh she would not steer and she would not stay, She shipped on water night and day. Now the Bosun said 'Before I'm through,' 'You'll curse your mother for having you.' We're a kiwi ship with a kiwi crew, And we're the bullies to see her through.
12.
We're a sixty five ton hooker and we're jammed up in the bight, T'wixt Egmont and Manukau with the Gannet Rock in sight. Nelson up to Kiapara for kauri but we're light, and we'll fall away to loo'ward in the morning. Then it's jam her up to windward with every chance you get. And watch the weather roller, when she's needed to be met. If she starts to stick or parts a sheet, or sags to loo'ward bet, the fishes will have cleaned our bones by morning. At tow bells in the morning watch, she's hauled to west-nor' west, and broke he off four points or more when looking up her best. Now it's close reefed jib and mains'l and the Devil take the rest For it's less than what she'll want before the morning. Then its shove her up to windward or she’s off to Kingdom Come; The old man’s full of she-oaktight as any blessed drum, The doctor’s boilin’ stinkin’ beefand drinkin’ hell-fire rum, So Sam and I must keep the deck till morning. Oh we cannot fetch the Gannet,keep her just a point away, If you choked her now, in ballast with the sea she would not stay, Ready 'bout! Down helm! Let draw!Now, thank the Lord she gathers way! And it’s southward on the starboard in the morning. Then it’s jam her up to wind'ard,and luff her in the squalls. For two-pound-ten a month wehave to go where duty calls. We can’t be much worse off, by gum!Whatever luck befalls, And it's Kingdom-fuckin'-Glory in the morning.

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released June 19, 2021

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Gráinneog Auckland, New Zealand

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