I am a young mariner headed to war

 I'm thinkin' 'bout my family

 and what it was for

 There's water on the wood

 and the sails feel good

 And when I get to shore

 I hope that I can kill good.



 My father was a sailor

 named Captain Kennedy

 He lost his wooden schooner

 to the Germans on the sea

 Exploded on the water

 for everyone to see

 And humiliate that American

 Captain Kennedy.



 I saw him in Nassau in 1971

 His strength was failin'

 but he still ran a run

 He worked 'til his fingers

 wore to the bone

 To buy that wooden schooner

 and sail on his own.



 He was known in the islands

 as hundred foot iron

 That steel hull freighter

 was passin' its time

 And time flew by faster

 with life on the sea

 And the days grew shorter

 for Captain Kennedy.



 I am a young mariner headed to war

 I'm thinkin' 'bout my family

 and what it was for

 There's water on the wood

 and the sails feel good

 And when I get to shore

 I hope that I can kill good.