Jack's Great Adventure
Date Written November 2005 Length 9:16
This song is my 2005 Christmas song. In essence, it's a story about a dolphin who comes to the land to try and discover more about the world away from his pack. Unfortunately, he meets several people who don't inspire him to think that the land of the humans is somewhere worth discovering. That is until he meets a lovely family who teach him about the joy of Christmas.
Lyrics
Far away on the windy waves lives a dolphin pack in the sea
They have everything they could ever need and are as happy as can be
They work all day and they play all night; many would say it's a dream
But a boy called Jack wants more than that; there's more in life to be seen
He turned to Jane one day and said "I'm thinking of swimming away
I'd like to spend some time on the road and then return to you some day"
He spun around and he flicked his tail and he swam right out of the door
Then I can tell you all the things I'll learn in a brand new world to explore, on the shore
And so Jack started out on his great adventure. It was with a heavy heart that he left his friends, but his excitement spurred him on regardless.
Jack arrived on the sandy beach to a sight that left him amazed
The rising towers and flashing lights seemed to draw him in as he gazed
The things he saw in this brand new world were much more than he could wish
And he thought of all his dolphin friends still messing around with the fish
This probably sounded rash and hypocritical, especially from such a young dolphin. But you must be aware that playing with fish really is quite mundane.
With a smile on his face and a spring in his tail he sees a man in the road
But all does not appear so well, like the weight of the world is his load
I'll take a look to see what's wrong, even if it's not in the plan
I'll meet this man to learn from his ways, and maybe I'll help if I can
I turned to Jane one day and said "I'm thinking of swimming away
I thought I'd spend some time on the road and then return to you some day"
Can you tell me why you're out this late at such a cold time of year
Why you have a rock with you and how you came to be here?
The man slowly lifted his head, and although he was slightly concerned by the talking dolphin, he began to tell his tale.
The life I had I lost today, torn apart by greed
The money I gave my wife and kids couldn't buy the love that they need
Now that they've gone and they won't come back, I see the price that I've paid
So the only thing left to do with life is let my maker take it away
So Jack helped the man tie a rock to his leg, and with a lovely crack and a splash, the man disappeared through the ice to the bottom of the river. And of course, being a dolphin, Jack was completely unaware that humans can't breathe underwater. He was also very confused by the man's tears, as, to an animal that spends most of its time submerged, they really make very little sense at all.
The way the man had made him feel he'd never felt before
But still Jack journeyed further in, intent to find out more
He spied a man in an alleyway away from everyone
"I wonder why a man so shy would have such a need for a gun?"
I turned to Jane one day and said "I'm thinking of swimming away
I thought I'd spend some time on the road and then return again some day"
Please don't mind my asking, but I must know good sir
Why you've matched these lovely jewels with a coat of whitest fur
Jack wondered if the man could have been royalty in his fetching suit. Although it seemed that he could also have been one of those "pimp daddies" that Jack had heard so much about.
You may ask why I have to deny my choice to live in sin
The man in office judges me by the colour of my skin
This life of crime would not be mine if only I could be
In a land without this martial law and such hypocrisy
Jack was most confused by the reasons that underlayed the poor man's fortunes. And, on comparing the man's proud brown skin with his own grey blubber, he felt woefully inadequate. What hope, he thought, for a dolphin in such a cruel world, and he considered returning to the sea forever.
He found it foolish thinking how a life could become quashed
By men who sniff at dignity as if it had not washed
I'll take my leave once I have spoken with this family
To find out how I get from here most quickly to the sea
I turned to Jane one day and said "I'm thinking of swimming away
I thought I'd spend some time on the road and then return to you some day"
I'm sorry to have bothered you by knocking on your door
But to leave I need to have my flippers pointed to the shore
Seeing Jack's clear despair, the family took it upon themselves to explain to him the joy and miracle of Christmas.
We understand your journey, and so easily you'll see
For most there is a time to be with friends and family
To give each other loving gifts and have it so implored
To celebrate the special day of Jesus Christ our Lord
Before this new development, the only gift Jack would have accepted would have been a pair of legs between which he could have put his tail to return home. However, rather ironically, he now had no desire for such a gift, as he sped home to relay the festive news.
Quietly Jane awaits the news she longs to hear of Jack
The only thing that keeps me here is the hope that he'll come back
Jack is speeding back to home with new found love of life
To ask the girl he loves so much to be his lady wife
He turned to Jane you see and said "I'm thinking of leaving the sea
I've learnt so much while on the road and now please marry me
Gather round and so you'll hear the tidings I must say
To celebrate the love we know on this special Christmas day
And so the dolphins learned to celebrate the joy of Christmas, thanks to Jack and his unbounded enthusiasm and courage. However, it did not stop there, and soon enough the festivities spread to many other creatures living below the sea. This should bring sweet solace to those of you concerned by rising sea levels brought about by global warming. Furthermore, it is a tribute to the dolphins that they did not abuse their powerful position to bring tyranny upon the other sea creatures, which they could so easily have done. So, until next year, Goodnight, God Bless and Merry Christmas!