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Essex (and The Whale)

from Two on a Bench by Dax Schaffer

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    CD version comes in Digipak packaging with a lovingly crafted 24 page lyrics & photos booklet. Album artwork by Dax Schaffer.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Two on a Bench via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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lyrics

Twenty one from Nantucket
Went aboard a rusty bucket
And for the grand Pacific they set sail
Their mariner’s hearts beat louder
As they went across the water
Ever closer now to the whale

But some things are learned too late
So why should they berate
Themselves for not knowing in advance?
If you attack an ocean's giant
That it might not be compliant
And decide to sink your boat at second glance

They're stranded on their own
In the water all alone
At least a thousand miles from nearest shore
But on the island of Tahiti
They think that there's a city
Of five hundred cannibals or more

"Well, then we can't go west"
Said one abating breath
"They'll eat us all upon that savage land
I say we go to Chile
It's not much farther, really
Unless the rest of you've a better plan"

So for Chile they went sailing
And in row boats they were hailing
With memories of family as resolve
Though three thousand miles long
The southern current should be strong
Enough to get them back, no time at all

They came upon an island
In the middle of their quest
Not much food, but fresh water was abound
Three men said, "We're staying"
But left the others praying
The crew would soon reach southern ground

They're stranded on their own
In the water all alone
Trying now not to fall to starvation
How were they going to eat
Without a means to feed?
Was probably now worth some contemplation

As each one died
To live they tried
Eating fallen crew
But when none more were passing
And the survivors were fasting
They knew not what to do

So they drew lots
For a black spot
To be the sacrifice
One in less than half a dozen
Owen, the captain's cousin
Drew the lot that night

"Lend me his place"
Was the captain's grace
But Owen stood his ground
In his voice there lay no stutter
"My lot's as good as any other"
And for food they shot him down

From score and one
To few and none
The crew had dwindled down
But so disjoint
Now at this point
They might as well just drown

'Cause when you are gone
From land so long
The things you see might end
So much now was this
That they could not notice
The ship that had found them

The crew came to
With their rescue
Livid and turned pale
When asked of what had happened
So said the Essex’ captain
"Our ship had been stove by a whale"

credits

from Two on a Bench, released November 5, 2013
Lead Vocals and Ukulele by Dax Schaffer.
Ominous Drone by Steven Ray Morris.
Violin by Erika Ishii.

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Dax Schaffer Los Angeles, California

Singer/Songwriter. Some of my more personal songs are collected here. Mostly melodies written on ukulele and acoustic guitar. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy listening.

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