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This is a song about a ship that sank here in Wellington Harbour. I was just 7 at the time but I am amazed at how much emotion came out when I wrote it. It is one of my first memories.  I will have to play it a few times to get the lump out of my throat when I think about it. It takes me right back to the day as we listened at home unable to do anything.

Waihine is Maori for Woman or Wife. Tapuhi was the tug in Wellington at the time but she was far too old to do much to help. The Wahine hit Barrett Reef just after 6 in the morning and abandon ship was sounded around 1 in the afternoon. By that time she had too much of a list so she could only launch half her lifeboats. There were no life jackets for the children on board. The wind and tide blew people onto the rocks on the eastern side of the harbour that had bad access and no one much to help people who made it to shore. Small boats from the Seatoun side saved a lot of lives that day at great risk to themselves.

Waihine

[G] April nineteen sixty eight, the  [C7] Unions Steamship’s pride,
[F] Holed herself on Barrett Reef and [ G7] fifty two souls died,
[G] Two hours out of Lyttleton, [C7] and sailing through the heads
[F] In winds of over 50 knots, [G7] her radar had stopped  dead.
[F] Listening to the radio, [Em7] we heard it all unfold
[F] Tapuhi was sent out to help, [Em7] but she was just too old
Chorus:
[F] I listened on the radio, [G7] as we had no TV
[F] Memories seared into my mind [G7] as clear, as clear can be.
[G] The wind whistled around our house [C7] perched upon the hill
[F] Giselle was blowing at full force [Em7] and going for the kill.

[G] It was still dark  that morning when [C7]  Waihine came to grief,
[F] Her radar down, out of control, [G7] as she hit Barrett Reef
[G] No one knew how bad the blow that [C7] tore right through her heart
The [F] port propeller was knocked off, [G7] as she stumbled in the dark
Chorus:
[G] She drifted in near Steeple Rock in [C7] clear sight of the shore
[F] People stood on Seatoun beach, un [G7] able to do more
[G] Four more hours past in vein, [C7] with a starboard  list
[F] The small boats headed out in force, [G]  heros in our mist   
[G] Fifty two died on that day,[C7]  just off wellington’s shore
[F] Without the help of local men,  [G] it could have been far more.

I am trying to get a friend of mine to record this for me. He does a very good George Formsby impersonation. We have had a couple of practices and the words aren't set in stone yet, but comment would be welcome. The fourth line used to read " from Golden Plates". Not to sure which is better.

Living the Dream

[G] I wish I was as rich, [A7] as rich as my mate Hugh,
[D7] With tons of hotties by my side and nothing much to [G] do
[G] I wish I was as smart, as [A7] smart as Mister Gates
[D7] I’d lie around the house all day eating hand peeled [G] grapes

[C] Money can't buy you love is [F] what they always say,
But it [G7] can sure rent lots of fun as you go along your[C] way,
[C] Every man is equal is [F] what they always say,
The [G7] guy that is most equal [C] earns the highest pay

[G] Paris Hilton has lots of fun, [A7] while she’s working on her tan
[D7] She can hire body builders, and still has lots of [G] fans
[G] Kim may not be the sharpest tool [A7] you’ll meet along the way
[D7] But money helps if you’re a fool, to get you through the [G] day

[C] Money can't buy you love is [F] what they always say,
But it [G7] can sure rent lots of fun as you go along your [C] way,
[C] Every man is equal is [F] what they always say,
The [G7] guy that is most equal [C] earns the highest pay

[G] I wish I was as rich, as [A7] rich as my mate Oprah
[D7]I’d be eating lots of sweet things as I lie down on my [G] sofa
[G] I wish I was good looking,[A7]  just like my mate Brad
[D7] With looks like that, and no cares he never will be [G] sad

[C] Money can't buy you happiness [F] is what they always say,
But it [G7] can sure rent lots of friends as you go along your [C] way,
[C] Every man is equal is [F] what they always say,
The [G7] guy that is most equal [C] earns the highest pay