Bridget and John

Robert James

The obligatory 12-bar blues. I wanted something slightly trippy. I failed. The lyrics are based on a true story. My grandfather was a fisherman. One one trip out to sea his boat sank. He spent a few days in a lifeboat before being picked up by a passing ship. Back home, word had spread that the boat was missing but no one told my grandmother. They hid the news papers from her, and stealthily kept her away from the radio. When my grandfather finally called home to say he was alive and safe, my grandmother had no idea what he was talking about. Formerly known as RPM 2014 #6.

John sailed the Grand Banks and his ship went down
Stranded in a life boat hoping he’d be found
John sailed the Grand Banks and his ship went down
Stranded in a life boat praying he’d be found
Bride was home in Boston and she heard no word
They kept the whole thing from her trying to spare her nerves

Out at sea a full week when the storm picked up
Try to keep it topside as the sea gets rough
Out at sea a full week when the storm picked up
Try to keep it topside as the sea gets rough
The ocean opened up and pulled the small ship down
Scramble for a life boat before you drown

Try to hide it from her switch the radio off
She can’t see the papers or she’ll be distraught
Try to hide it from her switch the radio off
She can’t see the papers or she’ll be distraught
Let her mind the children let her do her thing
Keep the bad news secret see what fate may bring

Picked up by a steamer heading to New York
A few days out of contact till they sailed to port
Picked up by a steamer heading to New York
A few days out of contact till they sailed to port
Called her on the phone to say he was all right
She had no idea he almost lost his life