Bravo Team Sea Shanty
(Sung to the melody of Yellow Submarine)
In the town where we all live
There is a boat that sails the winds
We pack the cart and wheel is there
Jump on the boat, Oh don’t you dare!
Say stepping on as you board
and please share the hummus, don’t you hoard
We all row as a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team
We all sail as a part of Bravo Team, a part of Bravo Team a Part of Bravo Team.
In this boat we also row every Thursday, it’s pretty slow
And the crew we likes to sing about the waves and gulls on wings
Raise the halyard, set the tack, it’s time for sailing, we don’t look back
We pass the sails to come about then sheet them in, and ease them out
We all row as a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team
We all sail as a part of Bravo Team, a part of Bravo Team a Part of Bravo Team.
The way she guides us, toward the sea,
with a gentle melody
As open waves contact the hull,
With flapping and squawking gulls.
There is a sailor among the crew
who likes his mangoes and speaks his truth.
We all row as a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team
We all sail as a part of Bravo Team, a part of Bravo Team a Part of Bravo Team.
Eating Mangoes in Hawaiian shirts
on this longboat nothing hurts
The sails are flying and the sun is out
“Give way together” the coxswain shouts
In this boat we heed the storm and the sun upon the sea
And we sing to pass the days
In a longboat as Bravo team
We all row as a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team
We all sail as a part of Bravo Team, a part of Bravo Team a Part of Bravo Team.
The ships article we all abide
And up the mast you see it glide
It’s upside down, but we don’t care
For it’s time to snack and we all share
We watch the seals as we row
We have nowhere we need to go
We all row as a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team
We all sail as a part of Bravo Team, a part of Bravo Team a Part of Bravo Team.
On the waves of Townsend bay
We rock and roll in misty spray
With lighter hearts and calloused hands
We turn our boat back toward the land
And close our time with soft reflection
We offer each other kind affection.
We dock the boat and then part ways
And dream again of coming Thursdays
Ending chorus…
We all row as a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo team a part of Bravo Team
We all sail as a part of Bravo Team as a part of Bravo Team a Part of Bravo Team.
We all sing as apart of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team a part of Bravo Team
***
With our self-composed sea shanty laminated and ready for the elements, Bravo Team is back on the water. After weeks and weeks of foul weather, boat repairs, and holidays—the clouds have begun to clear, and the waves have laid down enough for our singing, laughing, and a little less clumsy hearts and hands to get our vessel sailing again.
Our time on shore was not wasted, and we practiced donning exposure suits and reefing under heavy winds (tied to the dock, of course). We also started to learn basic navigation and journey-planning skills. Parallel rulers, dividers, and speed time calculations were introduced, as well as environmental concerns and projects discussed.
While the vessel Townshend gets the finishing touches done on her maintenance, we discuss plans of adventure. Everyone was ecstatic to get back out on the ocean and sail across toward Mystery Bay. Dodging kelp and log flotillas, we got our spare boat Bear to a top speed of 2-3 knots. We talked about the logistics of going to the bathroom on the boat, each of us quietly thinking of what our “potty song” might be. We all sing while someone pees to lessen the anxiety and uncomfortability of such a task.
All smiles, back on shore, we loaded the cart and returned to the classroom for a closing reflection, taking note that dressing properly, and staying hydrated and comfortable make our time on the water much more enjoyable. Mistakes made, lessons learned, and hearts eager to do it all over again, we part ways and dream of coming Thursdays!
–Captain Amber
