Downy Ocean
Joe Burton and Dan Meyer teamed up to put together this homage to Baltimore's most sacred rite of summer: the trip to ocean. Written for 4-part SATB choir with piano accompaniment, "Downy Ocean" is pronounced in Bawlmerese.
Lyrics:
Load the car, call the kids, their friends and the dog.
Don’t just sit there, it’s no time to be a bump on a log.
Grab the cooler, pack up the kitchen, grab the sheets and the toilet paper.
Grab the coconut lotion ‘cuz I’ve got the notion to hit the accelerator.
We’re goin’ downy ocean.
Up the road, down the street, past the harbor, ‘cross the bay to the shore.
Headin’ downy ocean out of Baltimore.
Got Uncle Ed’s condo, you know it’s got a sea view.
Shag carpet and drapes from 1972.
High rise, low rise, by the beach, swamp or bay,
I don’t care, honey, where we stay
Long as I’ve got you by my side.
So come on now, let’s go for a little ride.
We’re goin’ downy ocean.
Up the road, down the street, past the harbor, ‘cross the bay to the shore.
Headin’ downy ocean out of Baltimore.
I’m gonna buy a giant paintin’ of the sea.
Starfish showin’ signs of atrophy.
Keep a diet soda right beside me.
Go in the water when I’ve gotta pee,
And then we’ll eat!
Gonna hit the buffet, smorgasbord and the bar.
Doesn’t matter where we’re eatin’ ‘cuz we got us our car.
Funnell cake, chocolate fudge, cotton candy,
Pizza, pretzels, fries that are slightly sandy.
Then we’ll ride all the rides,
Mess up our insides.
And then we’ll do it again.
We’re goin’ downy ocean.
Up the road, down the street, past the harbor, ‘cross the bay to the shore.
Headin’ downy ocean out of Baltimore.
An umbrella to block the sun’s glare and my music to block the waves’ roar.
This is what summer’s for:
Headin’ downy ocean out of Baltimore.
© 2011, Joe Burton (words), Daniel C. Meyer (music)