by Martin Jacobs

Created on: April 06, 2009

SHANGRI-LA

To the secret land of Shangri-La

Boldly we go into dangers new

With pistols charged and sabers drawn

We go forth to make treasure our own

Twelve, bold and daring are we

This hearty bands strides with me

We know not the bounty we may find

Only that what lies ahead is more than behind

No pirates we, only adventurers bold

Tis a land we seek, with jewels and gold

We most had left behind a lady fair

Journeying to Shangri-La and what waits us there

So upon the sea our ship did sail

We labored hard and without fail

We sailed through storms of wind and rain

Knowing not if land we'd see again

But ahead we sailed, twas in our blood

Let fortune take us where it would

For the treasure ahead had lent us fire

And our hearts together sang as a choir

"Land, ho" our look out did cry

We'd be there ere long, treasure was nigh

And as we neared the land

Our long boats w lowered by hand

Laded they were with arms and food

We knew not what lay ahead was true

A map we had, an "x" marked pon it

And a legend of cryptic words, twould be a pit

A pit that would be dark and deep

Where the bones of many men did sleep

Many Tried and failed, so the legend goes

A treasure rich enough to cost many souls

Once we brought our boats to land

There sat we, twelve across the sand

A band so brave, bound by blood and oath

Yet something more powerful than both

Friends were we, yet brothers too

Served king and country, tried and true

But fortune called and forth we went

Treasure or death, to which would each be sent?

Across the sand, thru the jungle we go

Alert to the dangers we do not know

Savages, snakes, animals on every side

To reach a fortune and gain our pride

We fought thru vines, killer snakes and beasts

Battled thru rain and with the heat

Two had died from a venomous vipers bite

Five more lost we in a fearsome fight

So now alone tis just us five

Of the twelve who started out alive

No time had we to mourn our dead

The treasure we sought lay just ahead

Thru a curtain of leaves we saw our goal

A pit, hip deep in jewels and gold

The substance of it did make us gasp

The wealth we sought within our grasp

We fashioned a chest to carry it out

Wealthy men we'd be without a doubt

But each wondered about the cost

Was it worth the comrades we'd lost?

So along with our own, their share we'd pack

A fortune to their families we'd take back

We knew it was a task, but leave it we'd dare not

For once we left we'd ne'er return to this spot

Four tries it took, to carry it all

Laden the ship was, twas quite a haul

But finally loaded and the work was done

Our comrades buried, we sailed with the sun

Back to home sailed we, fast and true

Divided the treasure and we all knew

Our lives were changed, never the same again

We'd toast our friends, we all were rich men

So sit I here writing this tale

Of twelve brave lads who all did sail

Five returned at a loss are we

For those who perished, ne'er to see

The life what they sought bought for those behind

They gave their lives bear this in mind

Wealth and riches these are fine

But friends and loves these far outshine

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