Peking
Words and Music: Tom Lewis
(Recorded by Tom Lewis on Mixed Cargo)
With just a quick glance from the truck
to the keel
you'd think she was nothing but old rusting steel,
It's a miracle she's still around in these days,
a century passed since she slipped down the ways,
Long after the steamers ruled all seven seas
this was the name still made sailors' blood freeze.
Chorus:
Peking, Peking, the name seems to ring
and to see her in South Street would make your heart sing,
Long after the steamers ruled all seven seas
Peking was the name still made sailors' blood freeze.
She was built when the rest of the trade turned to steam,
to the liners who spied her she seemed like a dream,
She was bigger and faster when under all sail,
with a gale on the beam and the seas o're the rail,
Both hands for the ship then she'll care of you,
the apprentices, mates, the Old Man and the crew.
So many young sailors from her learned their craft,
three masts with square rigging, one fore and aft,
And young Irving Johnson, with camera in hand,
signed-on for a voyage with that hearty band,
He heaved and he hauled standing tall in the ranks
of Krauts, Scandahoovians, Limeys and Yanks.
Peking, Peking, defying the odds,
surviving great wars by the luck of the gods,
This tired old giant dreams glorious dreams,
she's sailing forever on a silvery screen,
Her crew never ageing, she sails for all time,
in black and white glory the last of her line.
