He watched the spark slip from the grate
and the flames rose higher
It was hard for me to tell him,
it was time for me to leave
He said I didn't go see the world,
thought that it would come to me
Point ing to the mantelpiece,
that contained a wooden shed
Your grandfather drained that bottle
Now it ties me to my yesterdays,
I'd be better off to lose
when the wind's against the tide
Shove your oars, stow your sails,
just enjoy the ride of your life
But throw yourself on the
don't waste your time like me
just a young boy at the time
appeared to tower above the cliff
And even school -reel ships he built
carried men and goods afar
and in the forties to the war
His country didn't want him,
as his mates fell through war -torn skies
The rest, they'd join the convoys,
still he was too young to die
Now he can't even find his glasses,
his hands shake too much, he knows
To break the bottle for himself
And to let the memories go
when the wind's against the tide
Ship your oars, stow your sails
Just enjoy the ride of your life
Throw yourself on the mer
don't waste your time like
Sitting on the mantelpiece,
the bottles gathered dust
While shipyards closed their gates were locked,
Who's tied down to his memories,
But I'll sail for clear blue waters,
and a life with no regrets
when the wind's against the tide
Ship your oars, stow your sails,
just enjoy the ride of your life
But throw yourself on the mer
don't waste your time lying
