In the Old Days
by Dan Schatz

But it’s good to see you here,
Old friends can bring an aging skipper cheer
I’ve been thinking on those times when we sailed the Caroline
Proud and foolish, full of noise; Joe, could it be we were just boys
In the old days?

Joe, you and I knew days
When the water surely guessed the plans we’d made
Said, “I see you fisherman, and I’ll stop you if I can”
Ah, But we were young and proud and we shouted long and loud
In the old days.

	In the old days, Joe, we sailed
	Through fair weather and gales
	And the Caroline, she held us
	Safe and never failed us
	In the old days

But now fishing’s not the same
With giant nets, computers, it’s a game
And the cod is almost gone. What’s left now for the young?
It was cruel hard and rough, but weren’t we better off
In the old days?

	In the old days, Joe, we sailed
	Through fair weather and gales
	And the Caroline, she held us
	Safe and never failed us
	In the old days

But it’s good to see you here,
Old friends can bring an aging skipper cheer
I’ve been thinking on those times when we sailed the Caroline
Proud and foolish, full of noise; Joe, could it be we were just boys
In the old days?

©1999 by Dan Schatz
Thirty-six String Music