The Whale's Claim

Lyrics

[Verse 1] The harbor bell rang out at dawn, We cast our lines and weathered on, With tarred-up boots and canvas tight, We chased the gray beyond the light. [Pre-Chorus] The captain raised his weathered hand, “Keep fast together, heart and hand!” The gulls wheeled low above the foam, And every man thought of home. [Chorus] Heave, my hearties, heave away, The whale’s abroad in the rolling spray! Hold your nerve and mind the sea, She gives no promise to you or me. Heave, my hearties, steady and true, The deep has a claim on the boldest crew! [Verse 2] A spout blew high beyond the swell, A dark back rolled where the whitecaps fell, The boats went down, the oars bit hard, Each face set grim beneath its guard. [Pre-Chorus] The line ran singing through our hands, The sea rose up like shifting lands, “Keep room between us, watch the bow!” We learned what courage meant just then. [Chorus] Heave, my hearties, heave away, The whale’s abroad in the rolling spray! Hold your nerve and mind the sea, She gives no promise to you or me. Heave, my hearties, steady and true, The deep has a claim on the boldest crew! [Bridge] Then silence fell; the great one turned, A world of muscle, scar and burn. The captain lowered his harpoon, And let the dark pass under the moon. [Verse 3] We hauled our boats through morning rain, With empty hooks and aching hands, Yet none aboard called it a loss, We’d seen the lord beneath the foam. [Final Chorus] Heave, my hearties, heave away, We’ve met the deep and lived today! Hold your nerve and mind the sea, No prize is worth what must not be. Heave, my hearties, steady and true, The deep keeps its own—and it spared our crew! [Outro] The harbor bell rang out at dawn, We came back changed from sailing on.