Ray is a retired Coast Guardsman who spent a majority of his career sailing Alaskan waters. His last ship was the US Coast Guard Cutter Sherman (WHEC 720), which spent most of her time North of the Aleutians. He also sailed on the Cutters Nashaun, Liberty, and Anacapa in Southeast Alaska. His first ship was the Icebreaker Glacier (WAGB 4) back in 1973. In the early 80's he spent time as the personal coxswain for the Secretary of Defense, Casper Weinberger. Since retirement he has been turning his memories into songs and plays professionally throughout the Northwest. He is based in St. Maries, a little logging town in North Idaho.
AUDIO
SONGS
Dutch Harbor - copyright Ray Roberson, 2013
D G D
We hit port in Dutch Harbor, after riding three days on the storm
D G D
And we might have gotten farther, but the lights of that harbor looked so warm
C G D
Just a ship full of fools, all of us weary and worn
C G D
What else can ya do, they say any port in a storm
C G D
Any port in a storm - Let the body and the mind rest a while
C G D
Any port in a storm - l miss that woman, I miss her smile
D G D
l'm heartsick l'm homesick and my love's a million miles away
D G D
This barmaid talkin at me, well she ain't got a damn thing to say
C G D
No this bottle's my lover, and I don't need anything more
C G D
This barroom's my cover, they say any port in a storm
C G D
Any port in a storm - Let the body and the mind rest a while
C G D
Any port in a storm - I miss that woman, I miss her smile
D G D
We're underway soon again, to the thunder of that that big engine's roar
D G D
They'll be pushing me home, so I don't really mind climbing back aboard
C G D
I guess this is the life, to which every sailor is born
C G D
No this ocean ain't no wife and they say any port in a storm
C G D
Any port in a storm - Let the body and the mind rest a while
C G D
Any port ln a storm - l miss that woman, I miss our child
__________________
Fair Winds - copyright Ray Roberson, 2013
G F C G
Fair winds fair winds, and a following sea - lt ain't much to ask for but it's all that I need
G F C G
Fair winds fair winds, and a following sea - it's the sailor's life for me
G F C G
left home a million years ago - Sometimes it seems that long
G F C G
Time sometimes can drag on so slow - or ya turn around and it’s gone
G F C G
I know she's there, waiting for me - Lovin heart and open arms
G F C G
My life is here on this rolling sea - and her life is back on the farm
G F C G
Fair winds fair winds and a following sea - lt ain't much to ask for but it's all that I need
G F C G
Fair winds fair winds and a following sea - lt's the sailor's life for me
The next port of call is heartache
I was here not too long ago
Seems some hearts were just made for breaking
That's something that she did not know
Most of the time, I'm long gone
Never there to see when she cries
She waits for her man to come sailing back home
On that ever incoming tide
Fair winds fair winds and a following sea - lt ain't much to ask for but it's all that I need
Fair winds fair winds and a following sea - lt's the sailor's life for me
D G D
We hit port in Dutch Harbor, after riding three days on the storm
D G D
And we might have gotten farther, but the lights of that harbor looked so warm
C G D
Just a ship full of fools, all of us weary and worn
C G D
What else can ya do, they say any port in a storm
C G D
Any port in a storm - Let the body and the mind rest a while
C G D
Any port in a storm - l miss that woman, I miss her smile
D G D
l'm heartsick l'm homesick and my love's a million miles away
D G D
This barmaid talkin at me, well she ain't got a damn thing to say
C G D
No this bottle's my lover, and I don't need anything more
C G D
This barroom's my cover, they say any port in a storm
C G D
Any port in a storm - Let the body and the mind rest a while
C G D
Any port in a storm - I miss that woman, I miss her smile
D G D
We're underway soon again, to the thunder of that that big engine's roar
D G D
They'll be pushing me home, so I don't really mind climbing back aboard
C G D
I guess this is the life, to which every sailor is born
C G D
No this ocean ain't no wife and they say any port in a storm
C G D
Any port in a storm - Let the body and the mind rest a while
C G D
Any port ln a storm - l miss that woman, I miss our child
__________________
Fair Winds - copyright Ray Roberson, 2013
G F C G
Fair winds fair winds, and a following sea - lt ain't much to ask for but it's all that I need
G F C G
Fair winds fair winds, and a following sea - it's the sailor's life for me
G F C G
left home a million years ago - Sometimes it seems that long
G F C G
Time sometimes can drag on so slow - or ya turn around and it’s gone
G F C G
I know she's there, waiting for me - Lovin heart and open arms
G F C G
My life is here on this rolling sea - and her life is back on the farm
G F C G
Fair winds fair winds and a following sea - lt ain't much to ask for but it's all that I need
G F C G
Fair winds fair winds and a following sea - lt's the sailor's life for me
The next port of call is heartache
I was here not too long ago
Seems some hearts were just made for breaking
That's something that she did not know
Most of the time, I'm long gone
Never there to see when she cries
She waits for her man to come sailing back home
On that ever incoming tide
Fair winds fair winds and a following sea - lt ain't much to ask for but it's all that I need
Fair winds fair winds and a following sea - lt's the sailor's life for me