Stan Rogers
Well it’s not the hours of watch on watch and it’s not the work that I mind so much
Or the long cold miles from my lover’s touch, though for sure she’s far away
No stranger I to the touch of steel, nor the honest fear any man can feel
But I long for dust under my heels and a pocket full of pay
So I’ll take it from day to day
The pack-ice ’round us cracks and groans, the old St. Roch, she creaks and moans
The icy fog is in my bones and the ache won’t go away
Outside I bet it’s warm and fair, I could have her fingers in my hair
But it’s long cold miles to her out there, so I guess I’ll have to stay
And just take it from day to day
We’re as far north now as I want to come, but Larson’s got us under his thumb
And I signed up for the whole damn run, I can’t get off halfway
But when I get back onto the shore I’m going south where it stays warm
And there’ll be someone on my arm to help me spend my pay
So I’ll take it from day to day (repeat final verse)