Published in Midnight Song, July 2008
Every night on the breeze of sea air
The pipes tell the legend of Donald Sinclair
His vessel left Skye from the Port of Goderich
On the voyage to shore, the winds changed and switched
It was eighteen fifty-six, nearly October
No one predicted that their life could be over
But on the Enchantedwas a hint of fear
They all just hoped for that freedom so near
As the boat passed by the famous Point Clark
All hope was lost, the heavens grew dark
His family was sailing on this cold night with him
Chance of all surviving became very slim
The fog was surrounding and the Huron was cold
Nothing could save them, not even all gold
So he let his pipes recite his story
He played with all soul, heart, might and glory.
Chorus:
And he kept on playing his depressing lament
His death approaching was sadly apparent
But the mysterious phantom piper got them out of this ditch
The closer they got the higher the pitch
The haunting sounds of the pipes carried across the stormy water
The wind conveyed it to the Penetangore harbor
At this point in time Sinclair’s clock began to tick
But another piper heard the sound of his music
And with his life down in the mud
He was braver than the royal blood
For him to forget he knew he should
Play louder than he ever could
The stranger that had heard the sound
Knew that he was rightfully bound
To take deep breaths and run inside
And in the night play his own pipes
Chorus
“Aye, I hear music” whispered Sinclair
“Someone on land must kindly care”
His wife wondered “Who’s playing there?
This phantom piper plays with flair.”
“This must mean that land is nigh
Don’t give up, and please don’t cry
Although no horizon is in sight
I shall refuse to depart this life
Be strong lads and hold on to the rail
We still have hope to further sail.”
Chorus
And so the pipes played proud and strong
Sinclair’s clock almost had rung
Fortuitously they were now saved
Sinclair’s lived another joyful day
To repay the Phantom Piper
Sinclair played forever after
©Copyright A.I Marin. Work Published in: Midnight Song Young Writers of Canada, Ontario 2009
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