Lyrics:

By: Jimmy Buffett

1970

I never used to miss the chance to climb up on his knee

And listen to the many tales of life upon the sea

We'd go sailing back on Barkentines we'd talk of things he did

Tomorrow just a day away for the Captain and the kid



His world had gone from sailing ships to raking mom's backyard

He never could adjust to land although he tried so hard

We both were growing older then and wiser with the years

That's when I came to understand the course his heart still steers



He died about a month ago while winter filled the air

And though I cried I was so proud to love a man so rare

He's somewhere on the ocean now that's where he oughta be

With one hand on the starboard rail he's wavin' back at me



I never used to miss the chance to climb up on his knee

And listen to the many tales of life upon the sea

We'd go sailing back on Barkentines talk of things he did

The world was just a day away for the Captain and the kid

For the Captain and this kid