THE NORFOLK REBEL
Written by Jim Heely of the Tanner's Creek Whalers

 

Refrain:

Sail on Norfolk Rebel! Your course be straight and true.
We'll drink to your good fortune, your captain, and your crew.

Verses:

Today, we have a problem that could idle all the fleet,
Our ships are run on oil, and to fuel them isn't cheap.
One man had an answer to help in times of lean;
Captain Briggs said, "Use the wind" , with a sailing Tugantine.

When the keel was laid the doubters said,"You're just an April Fool!
Your ideas are impractical! You're breaking all the rules!"
But the lubbers who could not believe in a boat they'd never seen,
Are the same ones who are left behind by the sailing Tugantine.

A call came in one morning from a vessel in distress.
The Coast Guard could not find them. The Air Force did their best.
No other ship would offer to motor to the scene.
In the nick of time they grabbed a line from the sailing Tugantine!

There is a crab regatta, it's held here every year.
One hellava combination of sailboats, crabs, and beer.
You really shouldn't miss it. such wonders can be seen. . .
As pirates in bikinis on a sailing Tugantine.

In the thunder of the cannon at Norfolk's Harborfest,
An epic battle rages; black powder, bombs, and fists.
The invader's name is "Sinbad", a pirate, fierce and mean.
Fear not! We are defended by a sailing Tugantine.

Now the Tugantine goes cruising across the U.S.A.
Ambassador from Norfolk. New friends along the way.
A cruise through Great Lakes, Canada, then a Mississippi steam.
It's "Huckleberry Briggs" on his sailing Tugantine.

Twas the Sunday before Christmas, a cold wind chills the Bay.
Lonely sailors far from home, their ships at anchor lay.
When they came on deck their eyes are met with a welcome Christmas scene.
A merry band of carolers on a sailing Tugantine.

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