Outward Bound

Cat Faber

Recording Credits:

Vocals: Cat Faber and Arlene "Callie" Hills

Outward Bound

Lyrics Copyright © 1996 Cat Faber
Melody: Do Lord (Traditional, Julia Ward Howe)
Used by permission - All Rights Reserved

"They're looking for a scientist," my buddy said one day,
"'Course, the only thing that's smaller than the quarters is the pay,
But it does mean work in orbit--" I said "Get out of my way!"
And it won't be much longer now.

I've had a berth on Outward Bound since she was begun
I've got a berth on Outward Bound and she's almost done
I've got a berth on Outward Bound and--hey!--I've got to run!
Cause it won't be much longer now.

There is a ship a-building fifty miles above the shore
Reliable and pressure tight and light enough to soar,
Her cost is astronomical, her worth is even more,
And it won't be much longer now.

They've checked out all the gaskets and they've glued the rascals in.
They're checking every circuit and they're checking every pin.
The engineer is watching with this great big nervous grin,
And it won't be much longer now.

I've bought a tube of vacuum-seal; I figure it can't hurt.
I'm counting every calorie and weighing every shirt.
But I'm going to be a spacer lass, no more to walk the dirt.
And it won't be much longer now.

I've visited the doctor to be sure I wasn't ill
I've visited the dentist till she sent me home to chill
And just in case things don't work out, I've written out my will--
And it won't be much longer now.

We mean to see a corner of this universe of ours,
To watch the shifting heavens and write home about the stars
In letters postmarked "Outward Bound" and counter-cancelled "Mars"
And it won't be much longer now.