sea-dog songs

       
     
     
     
doing a lot of walking these days        
out to the beach the headland        
now that I’m leaving        
       
happens every few years        
‘cos the work's always shifting        
and I'm not a bloke to grow moss        
keep movin' movin'        
       
the dog doesn’t know it yet        
but it looks like we’re going country for a while        
new job is a long way in        
a long way up      
in-the-mountains shit      
       
I’ll miss the sea like a leg's been chopped        
and the dog will be the same        
       
he doesn’t mind a pond or a lake        
but nothing's finer than charging into the surf        
chasing a well-thrown stick        
       
every throw always has me      
at the end of the curve of arm      
anchoring my eyes to the sea      
       
I feel worse for him        
cos I get to choose        
but he has to come      
hurts him to live away from me        
and I keep following the jobs        
taking the ones that look hard        
figuring no satisfaction      
in earning easy money        
       
I didn’t make the dog that way      
didn’t make me that way      
       
some dogs just are        
       
so now I’m waiting on the phone call        
should know in a week or two        
       
I go out walking        
filling my eyes        
and always take him        
       
if you hear howling        
some nights        
down by the beach        
say nothing      
leave it alone        
       
or blame the dog    
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
.