Procol Harum — A Salty Dog
Album: A Salty DogAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1381
Length: 4:29
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"All hands on deck, we've run afloat"
I heard the captain cry
"Explore the ship, Replace the cook
Let no one leave alive"
Across the straits, around the horn
How far can sailors fly?
A twisted path, our tortured course
And no one left alive
We sailed for parts unknown to man
Where ships come home to die
No lofty peak nor fortress bold
Could match our captain's eye
Upon the seventh sea-sick day
We made our port of call
A sand so white and sea so blue
No mortal place, at all
We fired the guns and burned the mast
And rowed from ship to shore
The captain cried, we sailors wept
Our tears were tears of joy
Now many moons and many Junes
Have passed since we made land
Salty Dog, the seaman's log
Your witness in my own hand
I heard the captain cry
"Explore the ship, Replace the cook
Let no one leave alive"
Across the straits, around the horn
How far can sailors fly?
A twisted path, our tortured course
And no one left alive
We sailed for parts unknown to man
Where ships come home to die
No lofty peak nor fortress bold
Could match our captain's eye
Upon the seventh sea-sick day
We made our port of call
A sand so white and sea so blue
No mortal place, at all
We fired the guns and burned the mast
And rowed from ship to shore
The captain cried, we sailors wept
Our tears were tears of joy
Now many moons and many Junes
Have passed since we made land
Salty Dog, the seaman's log
Your witness in my own hand
Comments (193)add comment
I give this a 10, much due to the best drumming of the 60s, so heartfelt, skilled, varied. Tip: Another very good Procol Harum song not on RP is "She Wandered Through the Garden Fence", it's not even a single but one of their 5 best songs
Just great to hear this on RP. Takes me back instantly to boarding school in the UK and buying this album on its release. Wonderful stately tale and music. Thanks Bill.
What a song, what a voice! 
Play the Sarah Brightman version! It's within your time frame :)
easy 10 this is an all-time classic - for an interesting and also 10 cover of this find SARA BRIGHTMAN and her album 'DIVE' from the early 90s
fell in love with this instantly.
RIP Keith Reid.
A truly outstanding vocal performance.
Never heard this before.
Any suggestions about the lyrics?
Any suggestions about the lyrics?
Not enough Trower on this song for my taste
Last comment four years ago - obviously it was high time to play this wonderful song once again - thank you!
A solid 10 for me - it's so evocative. I can almost smell the salt in the air. Haven't heard this on RP yet, but it'll brighten my day when it next pops up.
such a low score, do not understand, for me it is 9
inbagt wrote:
HA - I think the world was created in 1982. Wasn't it?
Wait, this isn't Peter Gabriel and Genesis?
HA - I think the world was created in 1982. Wasn't it?
magical
Yes... hot dogs are full of sodium.
Brilliant segue from RH Codex Bill!
Clémence says thanks for this song
Wait, this isn't Peter Gabriel and Genesis?
VV wrote:
The cover art was a parody of this old British cigarette brand's packaging. Not quite as well-executed though.
Looks like a High School student won the right to design the album cover.
The cover art was a parody of this old British cigarette brand's packaging. Not quite as well-executed though.
I saw them live the same summer as A Whiter Shade of Pale was released. To dispel the idea that the album cover was designed by a child, it is a copy of the artwork for a packet of Players Navy Cut cigarettes, a British brand and which was first used in this form in 1888. So probably about 100 years before those making the comment were even born.
as i get older, the more i fall in love with procol harum.
would have loved to have seen them live.
would have loved to have seen them live.
VV wrote:
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
Pablo Picasso
Looks like a High School student won the right to design the album cover.
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
Pablo Picasso
DavidFromHouston wrote:
It has similar phrasing on the piano, but different chords. Anyhow, this song precedes that one by about 32 years.
Doesn't this sound just like "My Head Feels Like That" by Peter Gabriel?
It has similar phrasing on the piano, but different chords. Anyhow, this song precedes that one by about 32 years.
VV wrote:
Hey,,, my kid did that,,,, what are you saying?
Looks like a High School student won the right to design the album cover.
Hey,,, my kid did that,,,, what are you saying?
Doesn't this sound just like "My Head Feels Like That" by Peter Gabriel?
Looks like a High School student won the right to design the album cover.
Landmark album, my brother bought it and it took me a while to peel away the layers and fully understand what a great album this was, with their best lineup as well. Thanks for playing this.
Will62 wrote:
Yep, that's guff all right. It's nothing like either of those.
"Walk On, Walk On, With Hope In Your Heart"
"You Are So Beautiful To Meeeeeeeeeeee"
And a pale imitation at that.
Guff
"You Are So Beautiful To Meeeeeeeeeeee"
And a pale imitation at that.
Guff
Yep, that's guff all right. It's nothing like either of those.
An easy 9. You have to listen more than once to appreciate how good the entire album is.
Avarage rating 6.6??? 
Maybe just for the cover art....
Maybe just for the cover art....
dc_zee wrote:
exactley and why did they not want anyone to leave alive?
Why did the Cook need replacing?
exactley and why did they not want anyone to leave alive?
Why did the Cook need replacing?
9
Skydog wrote:
I worked that out eventually - I give them a 1
is ho-hum for rating number 3 the same as lame?
I worked that out eventually - I give them a 1
"Walk On, Walk On, With Hope In Your Heart"
"You Are So Beautiful To Meeeeeeeeeeee"
And a pale imitation at that.
Guff
"You Are So Beautiful To Meeeeeeeeeeee"
And a pale imitation at that.
Guff
Saw them two years ago in Ottawa. With the full National Arts Centre Orchestra outside on stage and even a seagull circling overhead. It was epic.
Ain't Hollywood but maybe a Soap Opera
I am a soldato of my Goddess.No, No, No sold off.
You can give the moon but she won't sell sunctuary
Eventually we'll become to a salt year friend Söldner
Praise be wih my sorry XTCick.
Mother of all inventions is a necessity.
I am a soldato of my Goddess.No, No, No sold off.
You can give the moon but she won't sell sunctuary
Eventually we'll become to a salt year friend Söldner
Praise be wih my sorry XTCick.
Mother of all inventions is a necessity.
is ho-hum for rating number 3 the same as lame?
Being an ancient Prog Head, I can't believe I didn't listen to these guys back in the day. Thanks, Bill, for fixing that.
Never heard this before! Find I like it... though generally not a fan of Procol Harum. Suprisingly good low end on this recording considering when it was made - long before digital.
Wasn't a big fan when this was new but PH were outstanding at Wolf Trap a few years back. One of those old bands definitely still worth seeing.
Fa-Fa-Loo wrote:
Good blast from the past! I love RP!
Amazed I have never heard this before. Only their "other" popular song...
Love it... Am I just getting old when I say that they don't make 'em like this anymore?
As good as 'Whiter Shade of Pale' is this is my favorite Procol Harum song. I saw them perform in Nashville in 1972, but they were clearly outdone by their opening act, a new group who just came out with their first album-The Eagles. But I went to this concert to hear this song which is timeless.
One of my favorite songs of all time !
still sounds amazing after 40+ years
still sounds amazing after 40+ years
g3diego wrote:
Yep
Great song and even better Album! A true classic.
Yep
OUTSTANDING. Some of us ARE dated!
PFM wrote:
I guess it's because the cook is the default suspect if the crew is showing symptoms of poisoning.
Why replace the cook?
I guess it's because the cook is the default suspect if the crew is showing symptoms of poisoning.
so dated and SO good...an all-time fave
Great song and even better Album! A true classic.
pretty dated, this
calypsus_1 wrote:
BLack Lab by ~eidolic
charles black ©2007-2010 ~
This is my cousin's dog. he past away a couple years ago; great dog. he commissioned me to do this. he spent his life in the UP of michigan so i figured a snow scene would be appropriate. i think i went through a dozen mech pencils for this one. i didn't use any blending really so i ate up my lead pretty fast. i like it.
.
My boy past in Dec. Thank you for your lovely peice. Beautiful....
BLack Lab by ~eidolic
charles black ©2007-2010 ~
This is my cousin's dog. he past away a couple years ago; great dog. he commissioned me to do this. he spent his life in the UP of michigan so i figured a snow scene would be appropriate. i think i went through a dozen mech pencils for this one. i didn't use any blending really so i ate up my lead pretty fast. i like it.
.
My boy past in Dec. Thank you for your lovely peice. Beautiful....
calypsus_1 wrote:
BLack Lab by ~eidolic
charles black ©2007-2010 ~
This is my cousin's dog. he past away a couple years ago; great dog. he commissioned me to do this. he spent his life in the UP of michigan so i figured a snow scene would be appropriate. i think i went through a dozen mech pencils for this one. i didn't use any blending really so i ate up my lead pretty fast. i like it.
.
Wish I had half your talent. Love the eyes.
BLack Lab by ~eidolic
charles black ©2007-2010 ~
This is my cousin's dog. he past away a couple years ago; great dog. he commissioned me to do this. he spent his life in the UP of michigan so i figured a snow scene would be appropriate. i think i went through a dozen mech pencils for this one. i didn't use any blending really so i ate up my lead pretty fast. i like it.
.
Wish I had half your talent. Love the eyes.
Why replace the cook?
Jim_Highfield wrote:
Indeed!!
A masterpiece. Enough said.
Indeed!!
Try Zuccero's version Nel cosi blu, even better
I always had a soft spot for this song, from the first time I heard it.
A masterpiece. Enough said.
..after Morcheeba's The Sea?..nicely played, RP!..
Oh what memories that brings back! Salty days and nights
I really don't like this song I find the music and the singers voice to be rather irritating.
lily34 wrote:
The stately rhythm and sudden minor chords are probably why. I feel the same way as you. Let's be sad together. Not that it's a bad thing, right?
i don't know why. but this song makes me sad...tears at my heart a little bit. not that that is bad.
The stately rhythm and sudden minor chords are probably why. I feel the same way as you. Let's be sad together. Not that it's a bad thing, right?
i don't know why. but this song makes me sad...tears at my heart a little bit. not that that is bad.
Gregorama wrote:
Is that really the only other option to this? If you believe so you may occupy a small universe. Anyhow, I've always liked this tune - cool arrangement.
It appears you had to be there to apprciate it. The hate here is pitiful. Yes, please go listen to your soulless, autotuned robo-pop.
Is that really the only other option to this? If you believe so you may occupy a small universe. Anyhow, I've always liked this tune - cool arrangement.
It appears you had to be there to apprciate it. The hate here is pitiful. Yes, please go listen to your soulless, autotuned robo-pop.
Have I mentioned that this was Paul McCartney's favorite band?
Hee Hee...
Hee Hee...
scraig wrote:
Apparently you stumbled upon Radio Paradise when you really wanted a station that plays auto-tuned hip hop.
Tony Bennett needs to be put out to pasture.
Apparently you stumbled upon Radio Paradise when you really wanted a station that plays auto-tuned hip hop.
No morrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
love this!
scraig wrote:
Huh?
'Tony Bennett'?
Tony Bennett needs to be put out to pasture.
Huh?
'Tony Bennett'?
One of the greatest songs ever, the cello lines are simply amazing. When I first heard this album in 67 I was amazed . Thanks RP for your amazing taste. Did I mention Tim Buckley ??
Mr. President, you need to watch your sodium intake.
Aw, c'mon Bill, I gotta go to lunch!
And what's with all the low ratings today? Is everyone suffering from November doldrums?
And what's with all the low ratings today? Is everyone suffering from November doldrums?
Tony Bennett needs to be put out to pasture.
Brooker is one of rock's most underrated voices. I'd forgotten him until I came across Kate Bush's Aerial album and thought Steve Winwood was singing the duet with Queen Kate.
The first Genesis album (the only one on Decca) was released in 1969 (Form Genesis to Revelation). Unlike later efforts, it truely sucked, as they must have wanted the group to sound like The Moody Blues. Subsequent work on Charisma fixed all that, and we enjoyed many entertaining efforts in the 70s from Genesis.
Others have also mentioned this...there is no need to repeat it.
boober wrote:
boober wrote:
I've mentioned this once before but worth repeating...
Paul McCartney was asked in the mid-70's who his favorite band is.....he said quickly....Procol Harum.
I want to go to Gary Brooker's pub in England and have a pint with him and listen to him sing at the piano.
Paul McCartney was asked in the mid-70's who his favorite band is.....he said quickly....Procol Harum.
I want to go to Gary Brooker's pub in England and have a pint with him and listen to him sing at the piano.
This is one of those songs that takes you back to a time and place (40 years) you can't forget!
THE LAST HOUR HAS BEEN SOUNDING POOR? i WILL LOOK AROUND BUT ......
xtalman wrote:
Maybe a little but I think they are contemporaries more then anything. Genesis was formed in the early 70's.
Nope, Genesis was formed in 1967 (as was Procul Harum).
Maybe a little but I think they are contemporaries more then anything. Genesis was formed in the early 70's.
Nope, Genesis was formed in 1967 (as was Procul Harum).
bindi wrote:
Maybe a little but I think they are contemporaries more then anything. Genesis was formed in the early 70's.
Tell me that Genesis was not influenced by these guys. . .pioneers, I say! 
Maybe a little but I think they are contemporaries more then anything. Genesis was formed in the early 70's.
moonsaura wrote:
Um.... Peter Gabriel who was IN Genesis before he went solo? That one you mean?
or Peter Gabriel...
bindi wrote:
bindi wrote:
Tell me that Genesis was not influenced by these guys. . .pioneers, I say!
Um.... Peter Gabriel who was IN Genesis before he went solo? That one you mean?
bindi wrote:
Wow, no joke. At least early Genesis. Not their later pap.
Tell me that Genesis was not influenced by these guys. . .pioneers, I say!
Wow, no joke. At least early Genesis. Not their later pap.
or Peter Gabriel...
bindi wrote:
bindi wrote:
Tell me that Genesis was not influenced by these guys. . .pioneers, I say!
I like some of their songs, but this one sounds like they let the dog do the singing!
Tell me that Genesis was not influenced by these guys. . .pioneers, I say!
DaveInVA wrote:
Was released in June '69 and here is the artwork:
Thanks so much for that, what a time it was........................
Thanks so much for that, what a time it was........................
I've mentioned this once before but worth repeating...
Paul McCartney was asked in the mid-70's who his favorite band is.....he said quickly....Procol Harum.
I want to go to Gary Brooker's pub in England and have a pint with him and listen to him sing at the piano.
Paul McCartney was asked in the mid-70's who his favorite band is.....he said quickly....Procol Harum.
I want to go to Gary Brooker's pub in England and have a pint with him and listen to him sing at the piano.
wow, last time I heard Van the Man on the vocals from "a whiter shade of pale" , now I hear PG on this song
BLack Lab by ~eidolic
charles black ©2007-2010 ~
This is my cousin's dog. he past away a couple years ago; great dog. he commissioned me to do this. he spent his life in the UP of michigan so i figured a snow scene would be appropriate. i think i went through a dozen mech pencils for this one. i didn't use any blending really so i ate up my lead pretty fast. i like it.
.
Was released in June '69 and here is the artwork:
Limpopoking wrote:
Very much like this song and other better known tunes from Procol Harum.
But having read mulitple Bowie biographies and hundreds of interviews of him I have never heard him mention the band or Gary Brooker.
He was the master of sucking up - and giving a shout out - to many many influences, famous and not so famous but no mention of Gary Brooker or Procul Harum.
I'm sure Bowie gave this more than one listen 
Very much like this song and other better known tunes from Procol Harum.
But having read mulitple Bowie biographies and hundreds of interviews of him I have never heard him mention the band or Gary Brooker.
He was the master of sucking up - and giving a shout out - to many many influences, famous and not so famous but no mention of Gary Brooker or Procul Harum.
this kinda thing is what gave prog a bad name.
I saw them live 1973 in Sweden, at Borgholm Castle. A nice and warm summer night, great show.
love all PH—my era—saw 'em live in San Diego '72 in the Civic Concert Hall—drinks were excluded but yobies were passed—PS plz less of the eastern stuff—never found that soothing
Permission to come aboard Captain! :)
And i said it before,,Gary is my favvo singer !
StevenQ wrote:
Procol put out albums, not songs. A Salty Dog (the album) was and is one of my favorites of that time. They didn't crraft nice little stand alone pop tunes. You sort of had to be willing to invest some listening time. The songs don't translate well to stand-alone play for someone who is not familiar with the body of work. Somebody below said something about the lyrics being "cliched and trite". HUH? You don't have to like it, but I cannot understand this comment. If anything, Procol was accused of almost the opposite of cliched — being overyly artsy and intellectual. I really can't imagine exactly which "cliches" these lyrics are guilty of restating. Procol had some of the most "poetic" or "literary" lyrics of any group I ever heard. In short, I'm not surprised that non-comtemporaries would not like this. You sort of had to be there. (that's not the same as saying we just liked it because we were stoned (-;) I mean, it was like, far out man, you dig?
I do dig
and agree,,you StevenQ are far out,,,man !
Procol put out albums, not songs. A Salty Dog (the album) was and is one of my favorites of that time. They didn't crraft nice little stand alone pop tunes. You sort of had to be willing to invest some listening time. The songs don't translate well to stand-alone play for someone who is not familiar with the body of work. Somebody below said something about the lyrics being "cliched and trite". HUH? You don't have to like it, but I cannot understand this comment. If anything, Procol was accused of almost the opposite of cliched — being overyly artsy and intellectual. I really can't imagine exactly which "cliches" these lyrics are guilty of restating. Procol had some of the most "poetic" or "literary" lyrics of any group I ever heard. In short, I'm not surprised that non-comtemporaries would not like this. You sort of had to be there. (that's not the same as saying we just liked it because we were stoned (-;) I mean, it was like, far out man, you dig?
I do dig
and agree,,you StevenQ are far out,,,man !Gary Brooker....at his best.
a 10 if I've ever heard one.
a 10 if I've ever heard one.
...have i already said nice?..nice!..
Hannio wrote:
Grand Funk - I'm Your Captain: the worst song ever written. Seriously. I'd rather here the Macarena song or Achy-Breaky Heart than I'm Your Captain.
Written like a true country bumpkin from "so called" music town.
Grand Funk - I'm Your Captain: the worst song ever written. Seriously. I'd rather here the Macarena song or Achy-Breaky Heart than I'm Your Captain.
Written like a true country bumpkin from "so called" music town.
jagdriver wrote:
I don't think Trower was yet with the group.
Grank Funk - I'm Your Captain
Steve Miller Band - Song For Our Ancestors
Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride
Heart - Song of the Sea
And, speaking of Robin Trower:
Sail On
Grand Funk - I'm Your Captain: the worst song ever written. Seriously. I'd rather here the Macarena song or Achy-Breaky Heart than I'm Your Captain.
I don't think Trower was yet with the group.
Grank Funk - I'm Your Captain
Steve Miller Band - Song For Our Ancestors
Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride
Heart - Song of the Sea
And, speaking of Robin Trower:
Sail On
Grand Funk - I'm Your Captain: the worst song ever written. Seriously. I'd rather here the Macarena song or Achy-Breaky Heart than I'm Your Captain.
Too bad this album isn't available with today's audio quality. Hard to listen without wondering what I am missing...
I'm sure Bowie gave this more than one listen
This was the B-Side of the Conquistador 45 single. It's been probably 35 years since I've heard this. It's cool to hear it again. Then, I would have given it a '7'. Today, probably a '7'.
jagdriver wrote:
I don't think Trower was yet with the group.
Grank Funk - I'm Your Captain
Steve Miller Band - Song For Our Ancestors
Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride
Heart - Song of the Sea
And, speaking of Robin Trower:
Sail On
Trower joined Gary Brooker early, like around '67, so I'm sure he was there in '69 when A Salty Dog came out.
Good list, Jag!
I don't think Trower was yet with the group.
Grank Funk - I'm Your Captain
Steve Miller Band - Song For Our Ancestors
Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride
Heart - Song of the Sea
And, speaking of Robin Trower:
Sail On
Trower joined Gary Brooker early, like around '67, so I'm sure he was there in '69 when A Salty Dog came out.
Good list, Jag!
This whole album has a nautical feel to it; very well put together and this one is a great way to begin it.
nate917 wrote:
I don't think Trower was yet with the group.
Grank Funk - I'm Your Captain
Steve Miller Band - Song For Our Ancestors
Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride
Heart - Song of the Sea
And, speaking of Robin Trower:
Sail On
Not much for Robin Trower to do on this one. I'd like to hear a sea-faring set that included this song and Warren Zevon's "Mutineer."
I don't think Trower was yet with the group.
Grank Funk - I'm Your Captain
Steve Miller Band - Song For Our Ancestors
Mountain - Nantucket Sleighride
Heart - Song of the Sea
And, speaking of Robin Trower:
Sail On
ThePoose wrote:
And John repeatedly played A Whiter Shade of Pale on the record player he had mounted in the back of the psychedelic Rolls. You can picture him having a listen on his way over to Brian Jones' place (A.A. Milne's former estate, as in Winnie the Pooh) to get high(er).
Sir Paul was once asked about his favourite group. His reply: ''Procul Harum.''
And John repeatedly played A Whiter Shade of Pale on the record player he had mounted in the back of the psychedelic Rolls. You can picture him having a listen on his way over to Brian Jones' place (A.A. Milne's former estate, as in Winnie the Pooh) to get high(er).
My first ship took me far away from home as an 18 year old kid - loved this then and still do.
Not much for Robin Trower to do on this one. I'd like to hear a sea-faring set that included this song and Warren Zevon's "Mutineer."
second album i ever purchased , still one of the best
...this sounds surprisingly similar to early genesis...
ThePoose wrote:
I believe Procol Harum was the favorite of Douglas Adams, he of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." I've always loved Gary Brooker's warm voice — even if the lyrics made no damn sense at all!
Sir Paul was once asked about his favourite group. His reply: ''Procul Harum.''
I believe Procol Harum was the favorite of Douglas Adams, he of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." I've always loved Gary Brooker's warm voice — even if the lyrics made no damn sense at all!
Monumental song!
man, do i love this song. tears every time.