The First Tripper

[Jim Scott]

The First Tripper

When he joined us that day seems it wasn’t the pay
But adventure that he ‘ad come seekin’.
He were just out o’ school wi’ the grin of a fool
On a mouth that just couldn’t stop speakin’
He were willin’ enough, but he ‘adn’t a clue
Where he should go, what he should do.
And with little idea o’ the hell you go through
When you signs on to be a first tripper.

On ‘is first day at sea they ‘ad sent ‘im to me
For they thought me the best one to teach ‘im.
And it took quite a while for me much older style
To develop a way I could reach ‘im.
And the fact he knew nothin’ he wanted to ‘ide,
Partly from fear, partly from pride
But unlike all the others he never once lied
As a young lad become a first tripper.

We was crossin’ The Bay when I first ‘eard ‘im say
Of ‘is family life he was leavin’.
Said ‘is dad was inside, and ‘is mother’d just died
And he hadn’t yet done wi’ his grievin’.
Though you’d think he’d no chance wi’ the life he’d been dealt,
Not what he said, not what he felt,
He’d just stuck out ‘is chin and he’d tightened ‘is belt
And he’d signed on to be a first tripper.

So I took ‘im in tow to the places we’d go
And I showed ‘im the world he was travelin’.
From the dives and the bars, to the planets and stars
As ‘is destiny started unravelin’.
It was seventeen months ‘till he sailed ‘ome again,
Walkin’ wi’ pride, Walkin’ wi’ men,
And it’s hard to imagine the kid he was then
When he first joined the crew as first tripper.

Four years ‘ad gone by then before he and I
Signed again on the same ship together.
She was tired and old and she should ha’ been sold
And we prayed we’d not see any weather.
When a storm over ran us and panicked the crew
He took the wheel. He took us through.
I was proud to be fighting beside ‘im I knew
When I taught ‘im the ropes as first tripper.

When I signed on the ship where I did me last trip
As me tired old bones were complainin’,
‘Twas the pride o’ the sea that they’d offered to me
For to finish me time still remainin’.
As I walked up the gangway the Captain I spied.
Ran to the bridge! Ran to his side!
And I couldn’t help crying the tears that I cried,
When I realized just who was the skipper.
And it fills up an old sailors heart full o’ pride
Knowin’ he was who taught that first tripper.

www.caridiangroup.com

[Keith at Tregenna]

Can you best advise if these can be used to further MN remembrance, would advice of where etc. Certain MN National, would appreciate alone. Always, where can acknowledge the author and or source. K.

[Jim Scott]

Do you think they're good enough Keith?

[Keith at Tregenna]

To be honest, a little busy at the mo, hanging on for the week end, all I have seen thus far, are great.

Will be in touch soon. need to take a look at your www. also, will do as said by the end of the week.

Early starts at work are not helping much. K.

---------- Post added at 12:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 AM ----------

Do you think they're good enough Keith?

Will Private Mail you ASAP.

K.

[Jim Scott]

Keith. If it's easier use email. tortolajim@hotmail.com ..... Cheers. Jim.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Will be in touch at your e.mail adi, pos not before the weekend, my address will include hernamewas.ss. I would hope members here have copied your address if required and hopefully Doc will amend all here for your security. Regards Keith.