Know the Ropes
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| Flares in High Seas--JMW Turner (c. 1840) |
3495. Avoid 'reading wrong'--situations, people, history. By the time you're in your 60s you've lived with the story of yourself, so you know the ropes--using sailing as a metaphor.
The standing rig, by shrouds and stays
In your other hand, your astrolabe
Don't read it wrong--
Keep the line strong--
Move it along, to the end of the line
By the time you know the story of yourself
Your biggest hope is that you'll know the ropes|
You'll only see the road that you’re on
What goes by is just the passing of time
Hitches and bends
Riggings and ties
Knots in a square
Needles and eyes
By the time you know the story of yourself
Your biggest hope is that you'll know the ropes|
Copyright 2026 Lee Barry. Rights in lyrics reserved.
