Merchant Ship
A swallow swoops for flitting flies
While Johnny rubs his sleepy eyes,
(As morning reaps the rising sun)
And watches Captain's day begun:
The creeks arise from melting snows -
The Merchant Ship's in stark repose...
A rodent scrapes for scattered crumbs,
While Johnny bites his swelling tongue
(Beneath the blazing sun above)
As Captain counts the dead with love:
And while the quiet river flows
The Merchant Ship just sits and grows...
A serpent weaves amongst the weeds
And Johnny finally starts the deeds
(As evening hails the dying day)
To stop the Captain at his play:
And as the flooding rivers grow
The Merchant Ship rocks to and fro...
An owl above has watchful eyes,
She watches hard as Johnny dies
(Beneath the broken sky of gloom)
While tumbling Captain to his doom:
And with the raging undertow
The Merchant Ship is sucked below...
A chipper bird drinks morning dew
And Johnny Junior starts anew
(He's bathing in the dawning rays)
To rectify the former days:
And creeks arise from melting snow
As virgin rivers start to flow...
poem by Terry O'Leary

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Johnny B. Goode
Deep down in louisianna
Close to new orleans,
Way back up in the woods
Among the evergreens,
There stand a country cabin
Made of clay and wood,
Where lives a young country boy
Named johnny b.goode,
He never ever learned
To read or write a book so well,
But he could play his guitar
Just like a-ringing a bell.
Go go, go johnny go go go!
Go johnny go go go!
Go johnny go go go!
Go johnny go go go!
Aah johnny b.goode!
He used to carry his guitar
In a gunny sack,
Sit beneath the trees
By the railroad track.
Oh sitting and a-playing
In the shade,
Drumming to the rhythm
That the drivers made.
People passing by
Used to stop and say:
My oh my,
That country boy can play.
Go go, go johnny go go go!
Go johnny go go go!
Go johnny go go go!
Go johnny go go go!
Aah johnny b.goode!
Well his mama told him:
Someday you will be a man.
And you will be the leader
Of a big old band.
Many people coming
From miles around,
To hear you play your music
Till the sun goes down.
Maybe some day
Your name will be in light,
Saying: johnny
B. goode tonight!
Go go, go johnny go go go!
Go johnny go go go!
Go johnny go go go!
Go johnny go go go!
Aah johnny b.goode!
song performed by by Beatles

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Johnny B. Goode
He came from louisiana, close to new orleans
Way back up in the woods up near the evergreens
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named johnny b. goode
He never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
Go go
Go johnny go go
Go johnny go go
Go johnny go go
Go johnny go go
Johnny b. goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunney sack
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad tracks
Engineers would see him sittin' in the shade
Strummin' to the rhythm that the drivers made
And people passing by would stop and say
My my but that little country boy can play
Go go
Go johnny go go
Go johnny go go
Go johnny go go
Go johnny go go
Johnny b. goode
song performed by by Beach Boys

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Kittie’s Toys
A CHILD'S SONG
[WRITTEN FOR KATHLEEN]
I wish I had a soldier, a soldier, a soldier,
I wish I had a soldier to fight for love of me
Marie has a soldier, a soldier, a soldier,
Marie has a soldier, a gallant man is he.
I wish I had a bright flag, a gay flag, a dear flag,
I would love a fair flag to fly in liberty,
Gretchen has a big flag, a brave flag, a strong flag,
Gretchen has a fine flag that floats all high and free.
I wish I had a small ship, a strong ship, a good ship,
I would love a trim ship to sail upon the sea.
Johnny has a big ship, a grey ship, a grand ship,
Johnny took my small ship with all his big navie.
I wish I had a penny, a penny, a penny,
I wish I had a penny that all belonged to me,
I would build a fair house, a great house, a strong house,
I would make one grand house for all the world to see.
But Johnny stole my penny, my penny, my penny,
And Johnny took my bright flag that floated fair and free,
Then Johnny had my small ship, my trim ship, my good ship,
And Johnny broke my soldier that fought for liberty.
Now John would be my soldier, my soldier, my soldier,
But John he is a greedy boy, a selfish boy is he;
And Johnny beats the wee ones, the small ones, the weak ones,
He takes their playthings from them in the name of liberty.
When Johnny gets a whacking, a whacking, a whacking,
When Johnny gets a whacking, I think he'll let me be,
And I shall have my penny, my penny, my penny,
And I shall buy a bright flag to wave in victory.
poem by Dora Sigerson Shorter

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Johnny B. Goode
This song was first released on the john denver album. it is the only album it has been released on.
Way down in louisiana close to new orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
There stood a log cabin mad of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy name of johnny b. goode
He never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play a guitar just like a-ringin' a bell
Go, go, go johnny go
Go, go johnny go
Go, go johnny go
Go, go johnny go
Go johnny b. goode
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
The engineers would see him sittin' in the shade
Strummin' to the rhythm that the drivers made
People passing by would they would stop and say
Oh my but that little country boy can play
Go, go, go johnny go
Go, go johnny go
Go, go, go johnny go
Go, go, go johnny go
Go, go johnny b. goode
Well his mama told him some day you will be a man
You will be the leader of a big old band
Many people comin' from miles around
Just to hear you play your music till the sun go down
Maybe some day your name will be in lights
Sayin' johnny b. goode tonight
Go, go, go, go, go johnny go
Go, go johnny go
Go, go, go johnny go
Go, go johnny go
Go, go johnny b. goode
Words and music by chuck berry
song performed by by John Denver

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Johnny Dont Do It
Johnny dont do it
Johnny dont do it
Johnny dont do it
Johnny dont do it
Johnny was an angel
An angel dressed in black
He used to hang around the guys
Down at the local track
He tried so hard to join them
But they always turned him back
Johnny dont do it
He was an angel
Johnny dont do it
Such an angel
He was only 17
Just got out of school
He stole a bike from joes garage
To prove that he was cool
He didnt know that the brakes were worn
And fate can be so cruel
Johnny dont do it
He was an angel
Johnny dont do it
Such an angel
Johnny dont do it
Johnny dont do it
Johnny dont do it
Johnny dont do it
Well johnny went a riding
With his girlfriend on the back seat
Looking for some action
And they found it down a back street
Suddenly a truck pulled out
He tried to step on the brake
Johnny dont do it (here is a news flash)
Johnny dont do it (today, johnny kowalski, also known as johnny
Angel)
Johnny dont do it (and his young fiance francine, were tragically
Killed)
Johnny dont do it (in a cycle accident)
Dont do it, dont do it (any witnesses please contact)
Dont do it, dont do it (the police at precinct 29)
Now johnnys with the angels
The angels in the sky
I wonder if he thinks of us
As he goes riding by
If only had listened
Oh the number of times we tried
To tell him
Johnny dont do it
He was an angel
Johnny dont do it
Such an angel
Johnny dont do it
He was an angel
Johnny dont do it
Such an angel
Johnny dont do it
Johnny dont do it
Johnny dont do it
Johnny dont do it
song performed by by 10 Cc

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Johnny Stew
Written by lindsey buckingham.
Johnny, oh johnny,
Where do you roam?
Well always remain here,
So dont leave us alone.
Some say they knew him,
And some just left him alone.
Johnny, oh johnny,
Where do you roam?
Johnny, johnny, johnny!
(everybodys talking about the amazing johnny stew.)
Johnny, johnny, johnny!
(everybodys talking about the amazing johnny stew.)
It takes a worried man, now,
To sing a worried song.
Johnny, oh johnny,
I know you were not wrong.
song performed by by Lindsey Buckingham

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You're The Captain
I'd crawl a mile,
I'd climb the highest hill.
To bring you back to
A life that's real
You burned your mind out,
With your foolish games
May you lie there helpless,
Will you ever be the same.
You're the captain,
The leader of your ship.
Don't get captured (captured),
Cause you just might never quit.
You're the captain,
I hope you realize,
Don't be a fool,
Better open up your eyes.
I've traveled this world,
I've seen most of it.
I've seen the best ones
Go down with the ship.
Fortune and fame,
They don't mean a thing.
When you're hooked on junk,
That's your only game.
You're the captain,
The leader of your ship.
Don't get captured (captured),
Cause you just might never quit.
You're the captain,
I hope you realize,
Don't be a fool,
Better open up your eyes.
Just a part of life,
That we all must go through.
Gettin' high with friends,
Was all in being cool.
Hope you never see, this misery.
A prisoner by drugs
With no right to be free.
You're the captain,
The leader of your ship.
Don't get captured (captured),
Cause you just might never quit.
You're the captain,
I hope you realize,
Don't be a fool,
Better open up your eyes.
You're the captain,
The leader of your ship.
Don't get captured (captured),
Cause you just might never quit.
You're the captain,
I hope you realize,
Don't be a fool,
Better open up your eyes.
song performed by by 38 Special

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sea Rogues
Out in the sea, in the rough waves
A ruffian galleon in pursuit of ill-gotten wealth
Its crew of sea rogues out for stealing
They are led by a dark-hearted captain, Captain Health
This crew goes about stealing and killing
A terrible life for which they crave
A merchant galleon, they spotted
The ruffian ship on hot heels of the rich-laden ship
Moving forth at a speed to get closer
The ship of bandits had the merchant ship within its grip
The other ship, filled with chaos, disorder
Robbed clean and dry, the ship had bloodshed
Taking everything they’ve stolen
The sea rogues rejoiced with the prized stolen items
For celebration, they drank rounds of rum
To have amassed jewels, gems of great desire to them
Sang songs of the seas, played with pipes and drums
This is a sea life, they see as golden
They set sail towards land for keeps
Going at a great speed, the galleon headed west
The days went by, until they reached the shores
The rogues rejoiced, their journey laid to rest
Packing the stolen riches was the chore
The sea rogues had them treasured somewhere deep
The stolen riches are kept somewhere
Buried in one of the caves in a lonely terrain
Far away from the society’s reach
All these to make sure that no treasure is lost in vain
Then the sea rogues set out into the beach
Out into the sea, for more robbery there
poem by Obinna Kenechukwu Eruchie

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Johnny went to Hollywood
Johnny went to Hollywood
Said he’s gonna be a star
Things didn’t turn out so good
Johnny’s livin’ in his car
You shoulda seen him at the prom back in high school
You woulda bet he’s gonna be a star
Dancin’ with the queen with his tux and his crown on
Now Johnny’s livin’ in his car
Poor Johnny poor Johnny
He played Bo Decker when the senior class did “Bus Stop”
He had the junior girls all in a rage
Lookin’ like James Dean in a leather coat and t-shirt
You’da sworn that Johnny was born for the stage
Go Johnny! Go Johnny!
Johnny went to Hollywood
Said he’s gonna be a star
Things didn’t turn out so good
Johnny’s livin’ in his car
Poor Johnny, poor Johnny
He nearly got himself a diet Coke commercial
But they said he didn’t fit the part
Now he plays a waiter in a small café downtown
The way he says, “What will you have? ” is such an art!
Go Johnny! Go Johnny!
Johnny went to Hollywood
Said he’s gonna be a star
Things didn’t turn out so good
Johnny’s livin’ in his car
Poor Johnny, poor Johnny
poem by KMC Centlivre

Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Johnny Needs A Fast Car
Johnny needs a fast car
Johnny needs it bad
Johnny always do the best whatever johnny has
Johnny needs a fast one
Johnny needs it now
You got to give him something to let him show you how
Johnny needs a fast car
Johnny needs a fast car
Johnny needs a break
Johnny dont need good luck
cos johnny never fakes
Hell always make it look good
Youll always see him smile
Give johnny a few inches and hell give you back a mile
Johnny needs a fast car
Johnny needs a fast car
Tears upon the broken bones of luck that never went his way
Bless this one youll know him by his smile
song performed by by Chris Rea

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Johnny
Oh johnny
Do you miss your mother
Do you miss your father
Oh an johnny, do you miss me
Oh and I was so hungry
I just wanted to attack
And I was so hungry
And that mean Ill never look back
Oh johnny
Sometimes I wonder
Sometimes I wonder
And i
And I wonder
What its like to die
No yah see I couldda been a star
I couldda been a whip
I tell ya somethin else right now
We couldda been
Sailing along on our ship
Is this ring that he wore
Its just another thing that he wore
But theres something about this ring I just cant ignore
So I keep it though I dont no were its from
Oh johnny
Do you miss all the old the old ladys
Do you miss all of the crazys
Oh an johnny, do you miss me
Oh johnny
Do you miss your mother
Do you miss your father
Oh johnny theres something that Id like to know
And i, and i
Could you tell me john,
Could you tell me what its like to die
Gordon gano: vocals, giutar
Brian ritchie: bass
Victor delorenzo: drums
Recoded by victor delorenzo at the beneath it all cafe, milwaukee, 1981
*previously unreleased
gorno music reprinted with permission
song performed by by Violent Femmes

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Heres Johnny
Heres johnny
There he goes, he drives me crazy
When he says...(hee-eeres johnny!)
Thats his job, its so amazing
All he says is...(hee-eeres johnny!)
I never miss a moment when hes on the tube
His being there has made my life worth living
The chills run down my spine
Each time he says that line
Heres johnny! he says, and laughs in his special way
...johnny! he says, you know I love him
Heres johnny! he says, and second fiddle is his game
Ed mcmahons his name...all right
Dressed so fine, hes such a cool dude
Hear him say...(hee-eeres johnny!)
Watch him selling beer and dog food
Hear him say...(hee-eeres johnny!)
I got a letter from him just the other day
He said, you may already be a winner!
A trooper to the end
A clydesdales best friend
Heres johnny! he says, and laughs in his special way
...johnny! he says, you know I love him
Heres johnny! he says, and thats the way he gets his pay
What a living
Oh...(heres johnny! heres johnny!) wo-o-o, no
(heres johnny! heres johnny!) no no no no no no, I dont believe it
(heres johnny!) he says, and everytime its just the same
Ed mcmahons his name
A very special guy...all right
Hes on every night
Cant change the channel
When hes sitting on the panel
(hee-eeres johnny!)
There he goes, he gives me goose bumps
When he says...(hey-o-hey-hey-o!)
Heres johnny! he says, and laughs in his special way
...johnny! he says, you know I love him
Heres johnny! he says, that seems to be his claim to fame
Ed mcmahons his name
song performed by by Weird Al Yankovic

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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O Captain! My Captain!
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
poem by Walt Whitman

Submitted by Dan Costinaş
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Closer To Home / I'm Your Captain
Everybody listen to me
And return me my ship
I'm your captain
I'm your captain
Though I'm feeling mighty sick
I've been lost now for days uncounted
And it's months since I've seen home
Can you hear me? Can you hear me?
Or am I all alone?
If you return me to my home port
I will kiss you Mother Earth
Take me back now
Take me back now
To the port of my birth
(bridge)
Am I in my cabin dreaming?
Or are you really scheming
To take my ship away from me?
You'd better think about it
I just can't live without it
So please don't take my ship from me
I can feel the hand of a stranger
And it's tightening around my throat
Heaven help me
Heaven help me
Take this stranger from my boat
I'm your captain
I'm your captain
Though I'm feeling mighty sick
Everybody listen to me
And return me my ship
I'm your captain
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm your captain
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm your captain
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm your captain
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home (repeat until fade).
song performed by by Grand Funk Railroad

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Let Her Go Down
Sometime in October
we sailed from England's shore
When we sailed into a raging storm
like I never ever seen before
And all of the crew they were brave men
but the captain he was braver
and he said
"Never mind the ship me boys
There's none of us here can save her"
Let her go down Swim for your lives
Swim for your children swim for your wives
Let her go down Let her go down
Lost in the open ocean
there was some of the crew and me
while the captain steered our wounded ship
to the bottom of an angry sea
And with his dying breath
we all heard him say
"It's just the fortune of sailor"
and he said
"Never mind the ship me boys
There's none of us here can save her"
chorus
He wondered if his shipmates
were ready to just pray and give in
so he called their names out one by one
but there was no one else around but him
He saw the ship go down the fading light
and he knew that they could have saved her
He said
"The captain lied when the captain cried
'There's none of us here can save her' "
chorus
Swim for your lives
Swim for your children swim for your wives
Let her go down Let her go down
Swim for your lives
song performed by by Hollies

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Johnny B. Goode
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Good
Who never learned to read or write at all
But he could play the guitar just like ringing a bell
Go, go, go Johnny go, go, go Johnny, go go
Go Johnny go, go, go Johnny go go
Johnny B. Good
His mama told him "someday you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big band
Many people coming from miles around
To hear your playing music when the sun goes down
Maybe someday you will be in lights saying Johnny B. Good
song performed by by Elvis Presley

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Johnny Moon
Johnny Moon
Dreams in class
Answers the question before it's asked
You can see Johnny but he's not here
Nobody saw Johnny disappear
Mother says his mama's too easy
Letting him come and go as he pleases
Walls and windows won't do it
Lock the door
Johnny goes right through it
It's so hard to get his attention
When he's out there in another dimension
Johnny I wanna follow you outside
I wanna feel that high
It's so hard to get his attention
When he's out there in another dimension
Johnny
song performed by by Heart from Passion Works

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Im Your Captain
Everybody, listen to me,
And return me, my ship.
Im your captain, Im your captain,
Although Im feeling mighty sick.
Ive been lost now, days uncounted,
And its months since Ive seen home.
Can you hear me, can you hear me,
Or am I all alone.
If you return me, to my home port,
I will kiss you mother earth.
Take me back now, take me back now,
To the port of my birth.
Am I in my cabin dreaming, or are you really scheming,
To take my ship away from me?
Youd better think about it, I just cant live without it.
So, please dont take my ship from me.
Yeah, yeah, yeah ...
I can feel the hand, of a stranger,
And its tightening, around my throat.
Heaven help me, heaven help me,
Take this stranger from my boat.
Im your captain, Im your captain,
Although Im feeling mighty sick.
Everybody, listen to me,
And return me, my ship.
Im your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Im your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Im your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Im your captain, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Im getting closer to my home ...
Im getting closer to my home ...
Im getting closer to my home ...
Im getting closer to my home ...
Ohhhh ...
Im getting closer to my home ...
Im getting closer to my home ...
Im getting closer to my home ...
Im getting closer to my home ...
Repeated to fade
song performed by by Grand Funk Railroad

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Closer To Home
I'm Your Captain
Grand Funk Railroad
Mark Farner
The tune that is remembered as "Closer To Home", is actually labeled "I'm
Your Captain" on both the album sleeve and record label. It is from the
album "Closer To Home", released by Grand Funk Railroad in June of 1970.
Everybody,
listen to me,
and return me, my ship.
I'm your captain, I'm your captain,
though I'm feeling mighty sick.
I've been lost now,
days uncounted,
and it's months since,
I've seen home.
Can you hear me, can you hear me,
or am I all alone?
If you return me,
to my home port,
I will kiss you,
mother earth.
Take me back now, take me back now,
to the port, of my birth.
Am I in my cabin dreaming,
or are you really scheming,
to take my ship away from me.
You'd better think about it,
I jsut can't live without it,
so please don't take my ship from me.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I can feel the hand,
of a stranger,
and it tightening,
around my throat.
Heaven help me, heaven help me,
take this stranger, from my boat.
I'm your captain, I'm your captain,
though I'm feeling mighty sick.
Everybody, listen to me,
and return me, my ship,
I'm your captain, yeah yeah yeah yeah
I'm your captain, yeah yeah yeah yeah
I'm your captain, yeah yeah yeah yeah
I'm your captain, yeah yeah yeah yeah
I'm getting closer to my home.
I'm getting closer to my home.
transcribed by Steve McClurg ([email protected])
song performed by by Grand Funk Railroad

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Johnny B. Good
(words & music by chuck berry)
Deep down in louisiana close to new orleans
Way back up in the woods among the evergreens
Stood a log cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named johnny b. good
Who never learned to read or write at all
But he could play the guitar just like ringing a bell
Go, go, go johnny go, go, go johnny, go go
Go johnny go, go, go johnny go go
Johnny b. good
His mama told him "someday you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big band
Many people coming from miles around
To hear your playing music when the sun goes down
Maybe someday you will be in lights saying johnny b. good
song performed by by Elvis Presley

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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