To Roger Sigo - The Best Sailor I ever knew.
A SAILOR’S PRAYER
by Bob Harrison
Oh, Lord, I’m sick and tired and old and my strength is going too,
But ere I leave this earthly shell, I’d like one thing from You.
You know I sailed the seven seas for thirty years or so,
And I’d like to make one more patrol before I have to go.
I’d like to walk the main deck of a Navy fightin’ ship,
And feel the salt spray on me as the bow begins to dip
Beneath the wave of stormy seas, oh, Lord, You caused to be
A peril to seafaring men who go down in ships to sea.
Lord, I want to hear the throb of diesels one more time
And take my turn at standin’ watch and cleanin’ out the slime
From the bilges, as a punishment for failin’ to obey
The Captain’s standin’ orders that were posted for the day.
And, Lord, I’d like to hear the bosun’s whistle once again
As he calls the crew to breakfast, or in the evening when
It’s time for evening movies and the starboard watch is set
And the port side knows by heart the movie that they’ll get!
I’d like to stand on topside and watch the moon upon the sea,
And wonder at the beauty, and how all things came to be,
The morning comes, the sun breaks through, another awesome sight,
To see the shimmer on the waves, like Your Eternal Light.
So when my cruise is over and I soar to heights unknown,
And I kneel before You, Lord, as You sit on Judgement’s Throne,
As You contemplate some small reward that you think applies to me,
Just assign me to Your fastest ship on Your Eternal Sea.
Somehow, I know Roger got that assignment.
I miss you, brother.