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Al Stewart

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OLD ADMIRALS

I can well recall the first time I ever put to sea 
It was on the old 'Calcutta' in 1853 
I was just a lad of fourteen years, a midshipman to be 
To make my way in sailing ships of the Royal Navy 

By the time that I was twenty-one I'd sailed the world around 
Weathered storms in the China seas with the hatches battened down 
And made my way by starlight off the coast of Newfoundland 
And dined on beer and herrings while the waves blew all around 

I live in retirement now 
And through my window comes the sound of seagulls 
And sets my mind remembering 
The evening stars like memories sail far beyond the distant trees 
Way out across the open seas 
I hear them sing 

Oh the wooden ships they turned to iron and the iron ships to steel 
And shed their sails like autumn leaves with the turning of the wheel 
And I was given captain's rank and soon took under me 
The proudest ship that ever sailed for queen and country 

Ah, the old queen she passed away with the new born century 
And I received my calling up to the admiralty 
The sands ran through the hourglass each day more rapidly 
As we watched the growing of the fleets of High Germany 

So at last the Great War blazed 
I waited with the passing days 
The call to arms that never came 
Writing letters 

I may be old now in your eyes 
But all my years have made me wise 
You don't see where the danger lies 
Oh call me back, call me back... 

But the war it ran its course, they could find no use for me 
And I live in the country now, grandchildren on my knee 
And sometimes think in all this world the saddest thing to be 
Old admirals who feel the wind, and never put to sea 

Now just like you I've sailed my dreams like ships across the sea 
And some of them they've come on rocks, and some faced mutiny 
And when they're sunken one by one I'll join that company 
Old admirals who feel the wind, and never put to sea

GUITAR TABLATURE

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HISTORY (compiled by fans)

John Arbuthat Fisher (1841-1920) 

Born in Ceylon in 1841, Fisher entered the navy at 13. He saw active service as a midshipman in the Crimean War (1854-56) and in China (1859-60). 

He was promoted to captain in 1874, and commanded various ships and the gunnery school. In 1882 he was captain of the battleship "Inflexible", and took a prominent part in the bombardment of Alexandria. 

He was appointed to the board of the admiralty in 1892 as third sea lord and controller of the navy. He was knighted in 1894. 

Fisher was commander in chief of the North American and West Indies station in 1897-99. He represented British naval interests at the Hauge peace conference, and then became commander in chief of the Mediterranean fleet. 

He returned to the admiralty in 1902, and was primarily responsible for a major change in the way naval officers were recruited and trained. 

In 1904 he went to the admiralty again, this time as first sea lord. He was created Baron Fisher of Kilverstone in 1909, and he retired in January of 1910.  Fisher remained in retirement until October, 1914 when he was recalled to be first sea lord on the resignation of Prince Louis of Battenberg. 

He was responsible for the creation of the battleship "Dreadnaught", and the lightly armored "Invincible" battle cruiser. 

Fisher was a bold personality, with no fear of politicians. Although he could present his ideas logically, he often got his way on the strength of slogans and verbal explosions (often riddled with biblical imagery). 

Recommended reading: 

    FISHER'S FACE by Jan Morris

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© 2022 Al Stewart.

Front page photo: 📷 Randall Armor.

 

 

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    Antarctica 4:05
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    On the Border 3:46
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    Gina in the Kings Road 3:49
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    Last Days of the Century/Constantinople/Last Days 7:25
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    Year of the Cat 9:25
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    Genie on a Table Top 3:47
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    Time Passages 6:35
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    House of Clocks 2:58
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    Roads to Moscow 8:45
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    Coldest Winter 5:58
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    Hanno the Navigator 4:17
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