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Song Parodies -> "The Sailor"

Original Song Title:

"The Gambler"

Original Performer:

Kenny Rogers

Parody Song Title:

"The Sailor"

Parody Written by:

Susanna Viljanen

The Lyrics

When I was just a young girl, just six or seven
My daddy taught me sailing as his own had him before -
My brothers and my mommy, they were keen and eager
to learn to steer and navigate, set sails and then some more

So I learned all the ropes, I learned also compass
Then I learned the sextant - and rhumb lines and the stars
I learned to adjust the mainsail and running with spinnaker
How to lean-to in a gale and do voyage near and far

I have sailed around the islands, I've sailed around the Baltic
We have now our own sailing boat, and our own children too
It's been now thirty years since my daddy first did teach me
But there are many things I wish that everybody knew

CHORUS:
You gotta know sheets and halyards, know charts and compass
Know how to beat the wind and know how to run
You never leave the tiller when the gale is howling
There's time enough for resting when the wind is calm

Now every sailor knows the secret of surviving:
It is knowing when it's time to reef and when to heave
Every boat's a winner - and every boat's a loser;
The best you can get of your boat is more than its hull speed

We're heading for oceans, we're heading out to tradewinds:
we're heading out to high seas, circumnavigating world
Now sailor's life ain't easy; it's cold and wet and boring
But I am still quite certain - it's the best I've ever heard

CHORUS:
You gotta know sheets and halyards, know charts and compass
Know how to beat the wind and know how to run
You never leave the tiller when the gale is howling
There's time enough for resting when the wind is calm

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Voting Results

 
Pacing: 5.0
How Funny: 5.0
Overall Rating: 5.0

Total Votes: 11

Voting Breakdown

The following represent how many people voted for each category.

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User Comments

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Barry J. Mitchel - September 19, 2012 - Report this comment
One landlubber with limited sailing-crew experience knows it's just as dangerous as gambling with gun-toting strangers. This runs with the wind!
Wendy Christopher - September 19, 2012 - Report this comment
Entertained and educated, all in one fine parody! Nice job - 555 :)
2Eagle - September 19, 2012 - Report this comment
Your lyrics show that you are well seasoned.
Callmelennie - September 19, 2012 - Report this comment
You're the eighth wonder of the Amiright world, Susannah, seeing as how English isn't even your first language. I once did a parody of the Spanish song "Oye Como Va" which contains only 2 lines and I thought that was one of the cleverest things I ever did
Rob Arndt - September 19, 2012 - Report this comment
Exceptional work-555!!!! I am still researching Finnish naval assets historically, looking at the motor torpedo boats in WW2 right now. A parody may follow...
Lifeliver - September 19, 2012 - Report this comment
You seem to have a hit on your hands with this one and rightly so. It bears out the maxim of write about what you know. May your sails be filled with steady breezes.
Meriadoc - September 19, 2012 - Report this comment
Another lovely one Susanna!
Susanna Viljanen - September 20, 2012 - Report this comment
WOW! Thanks everyone - seems I managed to get something out of this old country classic this time!

I practically grew up onboard a yacht. My parents had a boat (and have still) and I learned to love the sea and also tolerate the hardships of the sea life. My longest voyage this summer was a three day cruise to Tallinn, Estonia; the sailing season 2012 was marred by three funerals. But I managed to take something back with my other grand interest, aviation, and all the airshows we were in. At least the boys love them :-) I shot some 2500 photos this summer.

Callmelennie, Peter Andersson aka Know I Can Hear You Dream is a Swede, so English isn't his first language either. I consider him to be more talented songwriter than me myself.
Peregrin - September 20, 2012 - Report this comment
This was really enjoyable Susanna. I cannot wait tiller your next one :)
Patrick - September 20, 2012 - Report this comment
Another sea song on the same day as mine, and superior in terms of actually knowing the sea and boats. I live about as far from the sea as you can get. My brother's children all joined the Navy.

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