Son of a Son of a Sailor

Album: Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978)
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  • As the son of a son of a sailor
    I went out on the sea for adventure
    Expanding the view of the captain and crew
    Like a man just released from indenture

    As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man
    I have chalked up many a mile
    Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks
    And I learned much from both of their styles

    Son of a son, son of a son
    Son of a son of a sailor
    Son of a gun, load the last ton
    One step ahead of the jailer

    Now away in the near future
    Southeast of disorder
    You can shake the hand of the mango man
    As he greats you at the border

    And the lady she hails from Trinidad
    Island of the spices
    Salt for your meat, and cinnamon sweet
    And the rum is for all your good vices

    Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind
    That our forefathers harnessed before us
    Hear the bells ring as the tight rigging sings
    It's a son of a gun of a chorus

    Where it all ends I can't fathom my friends
    If I knew I might toss out my anchor
    So I cruise along always searchin' for songs
    Not a lawyer a thief or a banker

    But a son of a son, son of a son
    Son of a son of a sailor
    Son of a gun, load the last ton
    One step ahead of the jailer

    I'm just a son of a son, son of a son
    Son of a son of a sailor
    The sea's in my veins, my tradition remains
    I'm just glad I don't live in a trailer Writer/s: Jimmy Buffett
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Doug from Whitby Ontario CanadaJimmy had the "royal Newfoundland blood" cursing through veins
  • James from Fort Myers FlI remember my grandfather was a sailor back then, he showed me this song and said "this song sounds like you and me." I have listened to it ever since
  • Myles from New OrleansBuffett broke his leg three times in 1978 and 1979, the first time was in a baseball game with The Eagles. Why Dave from Sante Fe thinks Buffett broke it from flipping his seaplane in 1978 makes zero sense since Jimmy didn't fly a seaplane until 1985.
  • Annie from Lexington,He broke it 3 times in a year; fiat was softball game...so, could be all 3 reasons
  • Steve from Brighton, MiI would bet I saw Jimmy at Hill Auditorium in Michigan around 1978 and he played with a cast on his leg. He sang stepped on a flop top broke my leg and had to limp on back home.
  • Dave from Santa Fe, NmThe only time I've seen JB with a broken leg was at the Santa Barbara bowl and it was due to an accident he had in his seaplane when it flipped over during a landing. If you were at the Bowl that night do you remember the moths all over the stage and Jimmy complaining about "bug abuse" :)
  • Huey from St Augustine, FlI believe the reason Jimmy Buffett's leg was in a cast on his SNL appearance in 1978 was due to an injury in a softball game. He broke his leg in a softball game that year. I never was aware that he broke it in a motorcycle accident.
  • Lalah from Wasilla, AkOthers might think Jimmy Buffett's greatest song is Margaritaville but this is my favorite. As a kid I spent a lot of time on sailboats with my dad and grandfather. I miss them both now.
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