Old salt leans on a rusted rail
Watching for a distant sail
Coffee steam in a plastic cup
Waiting for the sun to wake up
Wool coat heavy with the morning dew
Watching for a shade of blue
Copper coins in a weathered hand
Looking out across the sand
Tide comes in and the tide goes out
That is all he thinks about
Cold grey water meets the sky
Watching every boat go by
Diesel smoke from a distant line
Salty air and a scent of pine
Boots are worn and his hat is grey
Counting down the hours of day
Tide comes in and the tide goes out
That is all he thinks about
Cold grey water meets the sky
Watching every boat go by
He remembers the heavy chain
The freezing wind and the winter rain
The iron hull and the crashing foam
The long way back to a quiet home
Gulls are screaming in a jagged row
Wait for the morning wind to blow
Empty benches by the ticket gate
Patient man in a patient state
Gold light hits the water line
Silver scales in a steady shine
Sipping brew from a Styrofoam
Thinking of a place he called home
Tide comes in and the tide goes out
That is all he thinks about
Cold grey water meets the sky
Watching every boat go by
Wait for the boat to arrive
Feeling lucky to be alive
Just a man on a wooden pier
Waiting for the dock to clear
