A pun on the word 'holders'. Hands in other's hands, or hands in grain containers.
But every vessel pitching hard to starboard
Lay it's head on summer's freckled knees
Trade laden ships (vessels) returning to be docked on the beaches (summer's freckled knees). Also harvest containers (vessels) tipped (pitching) over onto the laps of those who sort them,
And you must bear your neighbors burden within reason
And your labors will be borne when all is done, and nobody nobody knows
Support your neighbor through their hardships, and you will get through them together. Or birth (bear) your neighbor's child, no one will know who's child it is when the childbirth (labor) is over.
I want to point out a few clever lines:
A pun on the word 'holders'. Hands in other's hands, or hands in grain containers.
Trade laden ships (vessels) returning to be docked on the beaches (summer's freckled knees). Also harvest containers (vessels) tipped (pitching) over onto the laps of those who sort them,
Support your neighbor through their hardships, and you will get through them together. Or birth (bear) your neighbor's child, no one will know who's child it is when the childbirth (labor) is over.