On the wood planks of the old dock,
On the wood deck of your craft,
Stomp your feet and grab some bock
From those coffers on your raft!
Drink to home and drink to travels
Drink to deep roots and far skies
Where adventure fast unravels
Hidden truths and charming lies!
Tie that long plait, knot your robe's hem,
And unload onto the quay
Take that purse count gold and then
Make it matter while you stay
Take the oars and hide them well
For the oar is no mare shaft
Oh the wonders they would tell
Of the travels of your raft
Soon your dealings be concluded
And again you'll raft away
Coin and gem to spend are suited
Nay, they are not there to stay
Stay with you will all the sweetness
All the sights that you beheld
All the meaning, all the deepness
All the longings your heart shelled
Wharf and raft wood are colliding
With the gallop of the river
Rhythm of waves they both are riding
While sun rays on waters shiver
Everflowing and undaunted,
Flows the river calm or swelling
Sleepy moaning, roaring haunted
Promises and hopes it's telling
Raft and oars,they will lay waiting
Dreaming silently of next travels
As bindings holding them are gating
Next adventures, future marvels
Sell your load fast, buy another
Gone you are then with your raft
Your's the river, here's their laugther
But it's on the one that laughed
Grab thee old oars push the old pier
Waves and circles of moon rays
Will embrace and hold them deer
While into the mist you stray
Under moonlight on the river
Gently glides the raft again
Oar and flute and sword and quiver
And the waves song only friend
For a night or for an hour
Gentle cradling you away
To the watery roads vower
Never in one place to stay.
( an raftsmen work song, river-shanty, inspired of Earcalie's raft-in-a-botte gift and trarantella rythms)
