Pilot on Board

Big steel hull cutting through the morning gray,

Pilot boat bouncing on the choppy bay.

They throw the ladder and he climbs aboard,

Old salt with a radio and a chart he's ignored

For twenty-odd years on this same stretch of sea,

Where the channel gets narrow and the current runs free.

Captain steps aside with a nod and a grin,

"Take her in, pilot — she's all yours again."

Chorus – Pilot on Board

Pilot on board, steady as she goes,

Through the twisting channel where the big ships flow.

One hand on the wheel, one eye on the tide,

Pilot on board — bring this lady inside.

He knows every buoy like the lines on his face,

Keeps her off the bottom in this dangerous place.

Pilot on board when the water gets tight,

He's the one who gets her home safe every night.

Verse 2 – At the Helm

Tankers and freighters, containers stacked high,

He threads them through turns where the water runs sly.

Wind pushing hard and the current pulling mean,

But he talks to the tugs like they're part of his team.

"Port engine slow, starboard give her some more,"

Voice calm on the radio as he opens the door

To the harbor ahead where the cranes stand tall,

Another safe passage — that's the pilot's call.

Bridge – The Narrow Channel

It ain't glory, it ain't fame, it's just doing the job right,

When a thousand feet of steel could end in one bad night.

He's been doing this since he was barely a man,

Reading the water like most folks read land.

No spotlight waiting when the shift is through,

Just another ship waiting for the pilot in blue.

Final Chorus – Pilot on Board

Pilot on board, steady as she goes,

Through the twisting channel where the big ships flow.

One hand on the wheel, one eye on the tide,

Pilot on board — bring this lady inside.

He knows every buoy like the lines on his face,

Keeps her off the bottom in this dangerous place.

Pilot on board when the water gets tight,

He's the one who gets her home safe every night.

Outro – Fading at the Dock

Pilot on board...

Steady as she goes...

Another one in...

Another one safe...