Story Behind The Song

Inspired by the history of the Cap Code community in the early 1800s, as read in a book called "In the Heart of the Sea."

Song Description

Sung from the prospective of the lover or wife of a sailor circa 1820 in the early Cape Code whaling community. Husbands would go off on long voyages, sometimes up to 4 years. The point of the song is the loneliness of the women they left behind.

Lyrics

Salt, Blue and Bone (A Sailor's Lullaby)

Once there was a time
when my heart was yours
and your heart was mine
Days drift in the wind
clouds scrape the skies
I wait by the sea tide

Held by your sweet eyes
you said goodbye
the ships are a-sailing
four years have gone by
your baby's sweet sighs
and you've never heard them

When will you come home? (chorus)
'cause I'm cold, cold as a stone
Our life is salt, blue and bone
sing sailor's lullaby
sing sailor's lullaby

Sure lover the sea
she took you from me
and left me her tempest
and from the boys around town
my wedding gown
I hide from their long gaze

When will you come home? (chorus)
'cause I'm cold, cold as a stone
and my life is salt, blue and bone
sing sailor's lullaby
sing sailor's lullaby

left hiding away (bridge)
the sun turns to gray
wind blows open the door
there's nothing but rain

Once there was a man who stood tall in the rigging
Once the sun shone strong in his smile
Now I whisper sweet soft and low to our daughter
And sing sailor's lullaby.

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