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I long to be in the Islands
by Thomas K. HuntI work on the Arthur Kill
Pulling boom for oil spills
It ain't bad work
and I kind a like the pay
But the air is dirty
and the water is black
Oh Mamma won't you take me back
to that place on the river
right off of French Creek Bay
Oh I long to be in the islands
cause it's summer time
And summer always has a way of taking me home
So I'll pack my bags
and I'll be on my way
Say goodbye to Jersey for a couple of days
Get on that highway
Yeah, Clayton bound
Well, it's alwys nice to come home
and to see my good old friends
It's such a nice feeling
and I wish it would never end
But I work on the Arthur Kill
And I'll be back to oil spills
Cause it ain't bad work
and I kind a like the pay
But the air is dirty
and the water is black
But you know my heart will be back
On the St. Lawerence River
right off of French Creek Bay 04/15/1980
Author's Note: I was born in a small river town in upstate New York on the St Lawerence River. It's in the 1000 Islands region. A very beautiful place to grow up. From 1979 to 1999 I lived in New Jersey working on the Arthur Kill River that runs between Staten Island and New Jersey. I worked for an Environmental Service Company cleaning up oil and chemical spills. In a not so beautiful area of this great country. One night while operating a boat, this song came to me in the hum of the engine.
Posted on 12/12/2003
Copyright © 2024 Thomas K. Hunt
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