Story Behind The Song

I saw a old tall ship in a field more than 50 miles from the sea. The ship was upright and still had most of the rigging intact. It had to of been there for many years. Next to the ship was a wood cross in the ground. I tried to find out the story behind the ship, but could not. That image stayed in my mind because of my love of the sea and the stories of those who rode her. When I got home I was telling someone about the ship, they too wanted to know why. He asked me what I thought and just said It's sailing into the past. This is my version of the ship the cross and why it was there. SEE PHOTO IN PICS SECTION

Lyrics

Into The Past
© 2011 Anthony Lynn Powers

Verse 1
They said that steam was faster
A better way to go
It meant the end of the sailing ships
And all she'd ever know

The kids now play on her
Their the pirates that sail the keys
On a relic of days gone by
In a field far from the sea

Her hull was grey and broken
Her decks are badly worn
The main mast lays beside her
And her sails are frayed and torn

chorus 1
Once she was proud
Here white sails filled with wind
She'd set a course for the islands
Then she'd head on home again
Now she sails on an ocean
Made up of weeds and grass
She's on her final voyage
As she sails into the past

Verse 2
He was her only captain
With her he rode the tide
For thirty six years he sailed her
Till steam pushed them both aside
Then one day he bought her

He had her moved to his land
Just to keep her from the scrappers
It cost him everything he had

They say he's never spoken
Until the day he died
Was laid to rest beside her
With her he waits for the high tide

Chorus 2
Once he was young
His life was the open sea
With a strong crew beside him
No place he'd rather be
Now his ghost is on her deck
And he holds up his glass
Toasts the days of the sailing ships
As he sails into the past

End Verse
Now you can see her in that field
And still the story's told
Of a tall ship and her captain
From so many years ago

Fade