Don’t Rock the Boat

When you are out upon the creek

Don’t be a risky summer freak,

     Don’t rock the boat.

Don’t stand and swash it to and fro

To scare your poor companions;

Unless you want a time of woe

     Don’t rock the boat.

When you are out upon the bay

And shore a league or two away,

     Don’t rock the boat.

Don’t rock the boat what e’er you do,

Or else the rocks may gather you;

Keep out of Davy Jones’s view

     Don’t rock the boat.

Just why such souls will foolish be

Is one great hidden mystery –

     Don’t rock the boat.

But if you’re bound to rock, then take

A boat alone upon the lake

And rock and rock for conscience’s sake,

     Just rock the boat.

July 1, ‘10