From the recording Stumblin' at the Gate / 320 MP3
ISRC: QMS4L2200163
Written by Jack Dunlap
Published by Frogtown Music (BMI)
Arranged by Jack Dunlap
Recorded by Will Shenk
Produced by Jack Dunlap, Robert Mabe, and Will Shenk
Musicians:
Jack Dunlap: Guitar, mandolin, and lead vocals
Robert Mabe: Banjo and vocals
Alex Kimble: Bass and vocals
Mason Wright: Fiddle
Sailing Song was written by Jack Dunlap. It was another song intended initially for Jack's bluegrass solo project.
"I wrote the melody to Sailing Song on the way home from a Jack Dunlap Band practice one night. I spent the rest of the evening trying to think of lyrics I could put to it, but it wasn't until I laid down and shut my eyes that it hit me, "Sailing on the ocean, sailing far away…" and it wasn't long until I had the rest of the song down."
Lyrics
If I knew my love was home then I'd be home to stay
Sailing through the cold night deep into the day
Coming in the harbor sleeping in the bay
No matter where I go your memory arrives
In the stars as they fade and the sun as she rise
In the sun as she rise
Well when I left the country not to see the world
It was all for the memory of one little girl
I've been this whole world over Lord I've been all around
I've seen every hillside and slept in every town
No matter where I go one thing stays the same
I can't fall asleep at night if I don't say your name
If I don't say your name
I may never see my home again but what good is a home
If you come back at night and find you're all alone
The sea is unforgiving I may not get out alive
And if I do I'll be forced to live with the love I've been deprived
No matter where I go I can't find control
So I'll drift off in the darkness and find peace for my soul
And find peace for my soul
Sailing on the ocean sailing far away
If I knew my love was home then I'd be home to stay
Sailing through the cold night deep into the day
Coming in the harbor sleeping in the bay
No matter where I go your memory arrives
In the stars as they fade and the sun as she rise
In the sun as she rise