We do ALOT of Jimmy Buffett tunes, but have never done The Captain and the Kid. It is just too sad.  Jimmy wrote it in memory of  his grandfather who died  in 1970 – the same year Jimmy replaced me in the lounge at the “Admiral Semmes Hotel” in downtown Mobile when my contract ran out and I was off to join the Air Force.  I know it was Jimmy ’cause on my last night I looked at the photo in the lobby and thought, “Who is this hairy guy coming in (Jimmy had a lot of hair back then) and why did they misspell his name?” (two T’s at the end –  that’s not how you spell a line of food).  Anyway, in this song, the line that goes “He died about a month ago while winter filled the air – and though I cried I was so proud to love a man so rare” would be a little overwhelming to sing, at least for me.  Besides, I think this song is very personal and no one else should perform it except the man who wrote such a heartfelt tribute.  But another musician might feel differently, so I’m adding it to my list if you want the sequence.

Captain James Delaney Buffett piloted a four-masted schooner named “Chiquimula”  – one of the most beautiful old windjammers you can imagine (Chiquimula is a city in Guatemala and means “the pearl of the east”).  Jimmy’s father learned to walk on the decks of that ship, which eventually ended up as a landmark at the east end of the Causeway that crosses Mobile Bay.  Then, in 1953, vandals burned it down to the waterline, but I believe the remains can still be seen today at low tide.

Jimmy Buffett wrote “I never used to miss the chance to climb up on his knee – and listen to the many tales of life upon the sea”.  Rest in peace, Captain – your grandson wrote a heck of a song in your honor…. a celebration of your life upon the sea.