DESCRIPTION:
Mike Aiken "Save The Whales" off the Captains & Cowboys CD. April 22, 2013 on Northwind Records. Produced by Dan Baird, Ben Strano, Mike Aiken. Video produced/directed by Andrew Piland, Hawksilver Productions. To buy or find out more visit: http://MikeAikenMusic.com

I've always loved this Country Joe McDonald tune and I was blown away by Tammy Rogers' (Steel Drivers) skill as she introduced the new genre of "hippy, gypsy, chantey" fiddle playing -- (as coined by producer Dan Baird). Mike Grando laid down a smokin' groove and the band just rocked.

When you spend time sailing in whaling waters like New England, Nova Scotia and the Azores, you can't help but appreciate the majesty of these gentle giants. This song captures a subtle mix of the romance of the sea and the reality of modern day slaughter.


LYRICS:
(Writer: Joe McDonald)

When my grandpa was a boy, he went down to the general store.
Saw a picture book of a whale, shootin' his spout and slappin' his tail.
Then he got a sailor's dream, cruisin' around those salty sea.
Joinin' up with a fishin crew, go out and get him a whale or two.
Tell me what kind of men are these that sail across salty seas.
Up in the rigging in the afternoon, swab the decks and sharpen harpoons.

Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises.
Early in the morning.

Lots of whales in the deep blue sea, and we kill them for the industry.
Drag 'em alongside and cut 'em in two, melt them down and sell 'em to you.
Hardly is a sailor alive, who can keep the tears from his eyes.
As he remembers the good old days when there were no whales to save.
Now we can thank the companies, for scouring the deep, blue seas.
Lookin' for ivory and perfume, oil to light your living rooms.

Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises.
Early in the morning.

Shanghi'd by the light of the moon, put out of Boston in the middle of June.
After six months you begin to see nothing but death and misery.
Set out on a three year cruise, a Union ship and a Union crew.
After six months you began to see, whalin's not what it used to be.
Modern ship, modern crew, sonar scopes and explodin' harpoons.
A mechanical boat built out of steel,
A floatin' machine built to kill the whales.

Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises.
So early in the mornin'.

When my grandpa was a boy, he went down to the general store.
Saw a picture book of a whale, shootin' his spout and slappin' his tail.
Then he got a sailor's dream, cruisin' around those salty sea.
Joinin' up with a fishin crew go out and get him a whale or two.
Tell me what kind of men are these that sail across the salty seas.
Up in the rigging in the afternoon, swab decks and sharpen harpoons.

Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises. Hooray, up she rises.
So early in the morning.

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More Mike Aiken: http://www.MikeAikenMusic.com

ISRC: QMVBW1300024