If I could choose the life I pleased
Then I would be a boatman
Along the canals and the rivers free
No hasty words are spoken
My only law the river breeze
Would take me to the open seas
If I could choose the life I pleased
Then I would be a boatman

If I could choose the life I pleased
Then I would be a rover
And if the road was not for me
Then I would choose another
Across mountains and valleys deep
I would take these weary feet
If I could choose the life I pleased
Then I would be a rover

But these things are so hard for me
I cannot choose my own destiny
And all the things that I want to see
Are so unclean

I wish I could choose the life I please
But I am not a free man
Others choose my destiny
But my will is never broken
I know someday I will be
Everything that I dreamed I'd be
If I could choose the life I pleased
Then I would be a boatman


Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death

The Boatman Lyrics as written by Jeremy Cunningham Charles Kenton Heather

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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The Boatman song meanings
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    General Comment

    The Levellers capture a fast disappearing England, charting the time when the criminal justice bill was brought about to keep people from reconnecting with nature and non-capitalist life. The Boatman does this most powerfully, and its gentle pace belies the power of its anti-capitalist statement. 'Success' is discovering your own personality and lifestyle (for him it's being a boatman), not some urban Gucci little piggy lifestyle which seems to be all that anyone can conceptualise these days.

    This song becomes more poignant as the years go on, school playing fields are turned into construction sites and urbanity continues to sprawl. Good to see that 20 years later folk music and all it stands for is back in the mainstram again via Mumford&Sons, Laura Marling and best of all Stornoway. if you like the Levellers you'll love Stornoway, go check 'em out if you haven't already.

    Liminal2on January 30, 2012   Link

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