Poet’s cabin

Gaffer’s song

to the tune of Wild Rover (guitar chords below). Words by Claudia Myatt

I’ve been an old gaffer for many a year (DG) And I spent all my money on topsails and beer (DGAD)

Sailed all kinds of gaffer and I’ve loved them all (DG)

But I couldn’t get on with bermudan at all (DGAD) And it’s no, ney, never, no ney never no more (ADG)

Will I sail a bermudan, ney never no more. (DGAD) They’re tall and they’re pointy with thin pointy keels (DG)

With no grip on the water, the bloody thing heels (DGAD)

They’re skittish and light and they sail on their ear (DG)

And you can’t peg the tiller when you fancy a beer (DGAD)

And it’s no, ney, never, no ney never no more (ADG)

Will I sail a bermudan, ney never no more. (DGAD) Bermudans say gaffers have far too much rope (DG)

With more than two halyards they just couldn’t cope (DGAD)

Then up goes their kite with its miles of string (DG)

It’s got so many ropes you daren’t gybe the damn thing (DGAD)

And it’s no, ney, never, no ney never no more (ADG)

Will I sail a bermudan, ney never no more. (DGAD) They’re OK upwind, but who wants to do that? (DG)

And that great big genoa keeps knocking you flat (DGAD)

That jib can’t be reefed without wrinkling the luff (DG)

So on goes the engine when the weather gets rough (DGAD)

And it’s no, ney, never, no ney never no more (ADG)

Will I sail a bermudan, ney never no more. (DGAD) Bermudan’s a gimmick, it’s not here to stay (DG)

I’d rather a gaffer to sail any day (DGAD)

It’s the past and the future all rolled into one (DG)

The glorious gaff cutter will sail on and on (DGAD)

And it’s no, ney, never, no ney never no more (ADG)

Will I sail a bermudan, ney never no more. (DGAD) We’d love to see Claudia’s song being performed. Send us your YouTube clips.