Ain't It Grand

(Mike Sparks)

All along the waterfront, all along the strand
See the ships a-sailing ain't it grand
Filled with people, cargo, mail, under steam and under sail
We'd watch the ships a-sailing ain't it grand

When I was just a kid
The best thing that we did
Was to watch the ships a-sailing ain't it grand
Me and my best mate would stand near the old dock gate
To watch the ships a sailing ain't it grand

So when me time it came
I took up the sailing game
See the ships a-sailing ain't it grand
Me and this mate of mine shipped a collier from the Tyne
And we sent a-sailing ain't it grand

From coaster to deep sea
Was the route for me
See the ships a-sailing ain't it grand
Heading for the midnight sun or on the China run
We all went a-sailing ain't it grand

Then sometimes instead
We'd go hopping round the Med
See the ships a-sailing ain't it grand
Or perhaps we sweat and toil out to the Gulf to fetch the oil
See the ships a-sailing ain't it grand

Where there used to be a crew
Now there's only one or two
To keep the ships a-sailing ain't it grand
What was handled, watched or seen is now done with switch and screen
And the ships still go a-sailing ain't it grand

Now I'm stranded on the shore
Not a sailor any more
I just watch the ships a sailing ain't it grand
I'm back here with my mate standing at the old dock gate
Just to watch the ships a-sailing ain't it grand

© 2000 Mike Sparks

This song appears on the CD 'Going Round Again'