I've Loved You Before (Family Tree)

Lyrical storytelling to be set to music. A long narrative using and intertwining both my family history, that of my love, Jessica, and fictional elements. I am named after an ancestor whaling captain.

It's the early 1840's,

My livelihood was made at sea. 

I fell in love with a girl from town, 

Not just for her beauty. 

Her name was Clara,

A first year teacher,

A fisherman's daughter,

Who found the good in all things. 

Unlike me. 

At 17, my family poor and starving,

I set my eyes on the ocean. 

Either my own ego, or the chance of adventure sang such sweet songs.

Captivating me. Capturing me. Pulling me from the land and home. 

Clara's father's name was Scott.

I worked for him down at the fishing docks.

He had done his time aboard the ships that carried brave souls to distant lands. 

Now he owned a fleet, and knew well the dangers one could face.

In a life of pursuing these sorts of dreams.

Clara was the talk of men but turned them all away. 

Respectfully declining gifts, keenly aware of shameful motive.

Even when presented with a future, which I myself could never give. 

Security, wealth, respect. 

All I had was love and a promise of faithfulness.

A life at sea is hard. 

Her father knew it all too well. 

He made his name aboard a whaling ship, 

Those years he said, were spent in hell. 

Scott named the friends he'd lost,

All the storms and disease. 

Though, he knew my heart was set and he took me under wing.

"There's something about you. 

Something. 

Something."

We made our vows in the Fall,

Though Clara knew I had to go.

Times were hard, and The Ocean's songs:

Were the only tunes I knew. 

And this is how it went:

I spent two years away,

Swore I'd make it home alive. 

Each morning, Clara,

Bright weather-eyes strained,

Shed tears for each lonely sunrise. 

Faithfully, faithfully. 

And then it finally came. 

She saw my mast at sea and greeted me at the docks, with our daughter, nearly three. 

Our kiss was long, with tears of joy. 

Amid sailors and their wives. 

Our home was small but welcoming,

All troubles left at sea. 

My hat hung up, 

The work was done. 

The world awaits,

Though much has changed. 

In kindness, 

It was love, 

Who pulled me back to shore.