I’m a sailor on the Edward L. Ryerson.
A ship called the Queen of the Lakes.
I work every day in the engine room.
I work as my broken heart aches.
We sail from Superior to Hamilton.
Photo courtesy of Roger LeLievre
We pass through the famous Soo Locks.
I stand on the deck of the ship and I search
For your face in the crowd by the docks.
But your sweet loving smile I can’t find,
And your laugh that I loved I can’t hear.
My darling you left me this Christmas.
How will I survive this next year?
My dearest, send me empty packages
So the fellows will think you still care.
Send boxes, empty boxes my darlin’
And this ache in my heart I will bear.
I’m a sailor on the Edward L. Ryerson
Surrounded by men all the same.
We hope that our wives and our sweethearts
Remain true ’till we see them again.
Hello Ms. Kennedy, I loved your story of the sailor on the Ryerson, and I also wondered if you had a peculiar sailor in mind.
The reason is, that at one time, I had a nephew on the Ryerson. I do know, the story is not of personality him, but to find what you have written is really beautiful.
Thank you,
Janine.
Sorry I took so long to reply. I don’t check this page often. The sailor was called Mark Carney who is now 79 or 80 years old.