Arrogant Worms - Shipwreck Balladeer Lyrics
I have been since seventeen a shipwreck balladeerTragedy and misery are what makes my careerWatery graves are my stock and trade, but it's getting harderFor all the boats that now do float are returning safely to the harbourThere hasn't been a shipwreck scene since 1965And I find I cry each time a crew returns aliveI only cheer when gales appear and threaten fresh disasterThey pass by, the boat survives, only my career's in tattersThey're building ships too good today, and I'm the one who suffersThey don't get rent from aft to stern and their halls never ruptureNot dashed on rocks and never tossed to heaven on a waveYou may think it well and good but my livelihood sails awayThere once were found, twenty in town, who wrote about shipwrecksWhen boats sank lots, just like rocks, 'twas good as it getsBut the golden ages passed away and I'm barely survivin'The balladeers are dead I fear and workin' in advertisin'They're building ships too good today and it's hurtin' meWhy can't even one poor soul fall into the dark seaAnd be ripped apart by hungry sharks in a bloody spreeYou may think it well and good, but my livelihood sails awayOh the only tragedy left to sing about is meThat government bastard's been sent to take my job from meThat inspector's making sure the ships are seaworthyHe can try, no way will I ever give up hopeWhen he went by, I did pry a big hole in his boatThey're building ships too good today, so I helped one alongHow sweet it is to once again hear the tortured songOf a man afloat a sinking boat, who knows he will die todayYou might think it bad not good, but my livelihood's here to stayIt's here to staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
