Born on the edge of the sea near the Bay of Fundy
In Annapolis County Nova Scotia he began to sail
On commercial vessels that plied the oceans and seas
As sailor and mate and master in the business of world trade
A naturalized American citizen he settled in San Francisco
Commanding many vessels over the next 20 years
Finally resolving to sail on a circumnavigation of the world
Alone on the oceans he departed with Spray’s sails unfurled
Leaving North America from Brier Island in Fundy
First visiting Nova Scotia to live the bygone memories of youth
With his vast sailing experience he set course around the world
Returning to Newport, Rhode Island, after three years at sea
And a forty-six thousand mile voyage that went down in history
It goes to show that the sailors of the east North American coast
Sailing in boats that were built with skill, experience, and old ghosts
Could match anything ever made in the annals of men conquering the seas
In the sailing routes of the world as they mastered the spirited ocean breeze
Joshua Slocum died at sea in 1909 on one of his many trips in Spray