Hello all! My name is Jordon Walsh and I'm currently living in Calgary. My father and family hail from Fleur de Lys, Newfoundland. I was caught up in addiction for quite a few years and am currently living in a treatment centre in Calgary. Here is a song I have written about my journey thus far. I am more of a writer/singer than a musician, but I feel that this song is very relatable to any who struggle and it needs to be shared. Feel free to print it off, pick up your guitars and put some melody to it. Amateur or professional assistance in the form of chords and melodies are accepted, welcomed and appreciated. Feel free to email me at [email protected] with any suggestions, additions, feedback or just to chat. My purpose is to have one of you fellow subscribers help me to take it a little further. I do play guitar as well but I'm struggling with chord progressions that fit. Please help. Thanks, and have fun. Part One: Me Lil' Rowboat I’m a lost lil' Sailor In me rowboat alone, Just floatin’ along, No place to call home. Lost and alone I was so confused, Me only ally Were the poisons I used. Most days were calm, Though sometimes it rained, The things left unsaid Need not be explained. When all of a sudden, ‘Round quarter past noon, I stumbled across A deadly typhoon. Neer bucket for bailin’ Nor friend for support The wind, she was wailin’ I had to make port! I cursed and I rowed Just as hard as I could; This may be the end I had understood. The storm, she persisted She would not subside. I needed a place To get meself dried. Me body, she shivered, Me spirit, she cried “I need to rest, Lord let me inside!” The rain, she kept rainin’ Refusing to cease, Not nature, nor death Would allow me peace. Part Two: The Island Despite all me torment I kept up me rowin’. “I mustn’t give up, I have to keep goin’!” I proclaimed aloud, Though I saw not the light, Saw only the clouds, I trudged on all night, Though I knew not the direction, Thought “If I quit now, I’ll know not of connection.” I’d forgotten of love, Cherish and affection. Negativity spread Through me soul, an infection. “Me family’s not comin’, No one knows I’m here. If me ship should capsize I’d just disappear!!!” With heart most full Of hate and denial, Me eyes came across A small little isle. I tied up me punt And then slept for a while. When I did finally awaken I thought all was well, O’ I was mistaken! Me mast, she was broke, Me hull she was leakin’, “I’d kill for a toke!” Were the words I was speakin’. After a time, I came to me senses. I knew I must shake Me former defenses The storm, she had ceased, Yet I was still stranded. “Dear Lord O’ why Need I be reprimanded?!” When I saw how evil I truly was, Me family and friends All hate me because I had the addiction; See what harm it does! I knew that my ways Were in need of change For a stubborn young sailor, This felt rather strange! The time, she had come To make better choices. Then off in the jungle I heard distant voices. From me broken down punt I dared to depart. The time, she had come, To open me heart. To ask for some help I thought was conceited. I thought that it meant I had been defeated. Against all me nature, I did venture out, And I found assistance From the devine and devout. Me stomach and spirit Were filled to the brim, When I realized They did it through Him. The hearts of the angels In these souls he had placed. They patched me back up, We laughed and embraced. I came to love This odd little place. I stayed half a fortnight, In that time I learned To allow me soul The things what it yearned. I made many friends, A cook, a first mate. The time, she had come, To exit the gate. The thought of goodbye Damn near broke me heart. But I now had a crew. We knew what came next, What we had to do. We packed up our things And kicked off the shore. Me heart was content, I was lonely no more. If I feel this good From such a small change I’ll make time for more action, It must be arranged!!! We set off together In search of our souls, We knew what we lacked And each made our own goals We would learn to be honest And faithful and pure, For all our diseases Had one common cure!!! Part Three: Reflections at Sea We boarded the big boat, Us amigos three, Off to the big city, On far side o’ the sea. The trip was quite boring, Had more time to think, Of family and friends, But not of the drink! Memories of old times, The good and the bad, The times we had fought, The laughter we’d had. Most people were sleepin’, But O’ no not I, Far too many thoughts Did pry ope’ me eye. Me minds eye, she wandered To me and me dad, No words for a while, And this made me sad. I knew his conflictions Were similar to mine, And it broke me heart To leave him behind. I wiggled and shuddered But I could not cry, I cried ‘nuff already, Me well, she was dry. Before we broke tide I wrote him a note Placed into a bottle And cast it afloat. The name and the address, I wrote crystal clear. He may never read this Me one greatest fear. To sad to continue, To scared to advance, I turned to me music, Hoped there was a chance To let me mind wander To something less blue. I continued to listen, Feeling ever more grim, For every damn song Made me think of him. Just when I thought I was at me bleakest On came a new friend, And O’ how he speakest! His family, his talents, His heart full of love. I knew God had sent him, To me from above To ease off me pain, For a while, to forget. He then did explain Why I was not happy yet. Said, “All that you do, You does for your person, When you do it for love You’ll find that which you’re searchin’.” Who would have thought That some random stranger Could show me the light And steer me from danger. Part Four: The Arrival Feeling relaxed I drifted to sleep Close to our destination, Our ship she did creep That first massive lighthouse Did jar me awake Me heart, she was ready, New adventures to make. We docked at the port Earlier than we’d planned; Our first test of patience, We did understand. No need to be worried And no need to fret Our guide, he was comin’, Just wasn’t there yet We gathered our baggage Found a place to rest, A sigh of relief Did heave from me chest. A brand new beginning, For me new friends and me I was quite excited For what would come to be. Was nervous at first, But soon it was passed, Then our new captain came To find us, at last! We toured our new home And all exchanged our stories, I felt quite accepted, No more need for worries. This great big city Was shiny and clean, Green grass and bright flowers, And such to be seen. We stopped at a cottage Before daylight broke, Sat down on a bench And had us a smoke. “You are home now!” He told us. I felt me throat choke. Such instant acceptance, I had never had I thought this new place, Might not be so bad. The same glad tidings Came from all whom we met. I felt confident. “I can do this. I bet.” I said to each new friend As they reassured, In no time at all, I soon would be cured. But one mold man told me to take warning, Said, “See how you feel at six o’ clock Tomorrow morning! Your days will be busy You’ll have to work hard But we’re all here And we hold you In the highest regard.” Part Five: The Early Days I awoke rather early Upon that first morning Put cereal in a bowl, While fresh coffee was pouring. All of these things Made me feel at home. And I knew at last I’d never be alone. I learned of the rules, And so forth, Of this house. I was rather baffled, As quiet as a mouse. Ten thousand ways To get me evicted, Me warm happy feelings, I soon found conflicted. Why so many rules? Why so many fences? Why don’t they trust Us? Why all these defenses? Then I realized, It was for our own good And I must strive To do as I should At times I faltered Over the next couple of days Yet slowly, but surely I was changing my ways.   Submitted By: Jordon Walsh