Rock of Illiton

John Inchingham

REFRAIN:
Where serpentine river swivels
And bends and snakes away,
Where merfolk frolic through whirlpools at play,
There dwells up high a stone troll
‘Pon cliffs above the quay--
He holds the foes of Illiton at bay.
 
VERSE 1:
Embarked from fold and friends
To where’er water wends
(A river runs forever to the sea);
When up on the bluff,
Squat, solid, dour and gruff,
The homely rock of Illiton I see.
Brave boys!
The homely rock of Illiton I see.
 
VERSE 2:
In the town around the quay,
Mermaids lure men to stay.
“What need is there to sally to the sea?
Debark. Cease wandering.
Ask not for whom we sing.
The homely rock of Illiton calls thee.
Brave boys!
The homely rock of Illiton calls thee.”
 
VERSE 3:
The sirens’ song is sweet.
Their dulcet tongues entreat,
“Come populate this portal to the sea.
For though myth-lore may lapse,
Yet from fact-lubbers grasp
The homely rock of Illiton stands free.
Brave boys!
The homely rock of Illiton stands free.
 
VERSE 4:
Fact-lubbers are deaf-blind knaves,
Who count the rocks and waves
And quantify the music of the sea.
Any fool can spy a knoll
But, if you can see the troll,
The homely rock of Illiton wants ye.
Brave boys!
The homely rock of Illiton wants ye.
 
VERSE 5:
My boat sails ‘round the bend
To where’er water wends
(Perhaps someday I’ll follow to the sea)
But here now I stand:
New life; new lot; new land.
The homely rock of Illiton’s for me.
Brave boys!
The homely rock of Illiton’s for me.
Brave boys!
The homely rock of Illiton’s for me!

© 1999 Steve Katlack

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