TugBoat Man

Well I’m a local tugboat man

And my boat is called the Lost and Found

And I try to help out where I can

All up and down the Puget Sound. 

If the tide has caught you low or engine failed

Give a call, I’ll be along.

Soon as the boys and I get this water bailed

You’ll hear her chuggin’, loud and strong

It’s the sweetest song. 

Well I’m a local tugboat man, 

Just like my father was before.

He’s the one who left me this old can,

When he headed off to fight the war. 

They put his ass upon a tinder ship

In the first Merchant Marines

Out by the far Manila landing strip

Stationed in the Philippines. 

You know what that means. 

Well I’m a local tugboat man,

But the coal is coming to an end

And the diesel boats are faster than

My Lost and Found against the wind. 

When the hours get long and still the money’s tight

After I pay for crew and fuel

I don’t know how those coal men sleep at night

Or if they take me for a fool

Goddamn cruel. 

Well I’m a local tugboat man,

We’ve all been stuck a time or two

Sometimes you need a helping hand,

And a perfect stranger pulls you through. 

Amongst the islands and the currents here

It’s a little tight for wind and sail

Don’t be fooled just ‘cause the sky is clear

Even the best of us can fail

It’s a common tale.

Well I’m a local tugboat man

And my boat is called the Lost and Found

And I try to help out where I can

All up and down the Puget Sound.