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Lyrics

THE REASON / © 1972 Albert Melshenker and Steve Cowan
From The Ship: A Contemporary Folk Music Journey CD

It’s sometimes that I wonder why I ever took this voyage
It’s so easy just to take things as they are
I’ve had my taste of solitude but that’s not why I left
Where’s the courage that it took to go this far?

Lead me back to searching for the port I set to find
Could never be the same as I have known
Innocence has been replaced by reason to return
It’s the first time that I’ve done this on my own

There must be a reason to return
After all the things that you have learned
There must be a reason to return
After all the things that you have learned

A lady stands in waiting, I can hear her as she calls
Her message is a challenge to me now
“If you are a sailor of the waters and the sun
You have to do the best that time allows

I gave to you a warning, though you didn’t know me then
I christened you to have a safe return
I whispered to you in the calm and stayed your stormy friend
My reason is what you set out to learn”

There must be a reason to return
There is always more you have to learn
There must be a reason to return
There is always more you have to learn

I look back to the island as a home I have to leave
As I quickly board the ship to make repair
I’m sorry that it took so long, but glad to know I’ve changed
So I can look ahead to those who care

Mend the mast and tie the lines to make her sound for sea
Lift the heavy anchor from below
Hoist the jib and mainsail high to catch the morning wind
And take enough provisions when you go
When you go, when you go, when you go