Written by the great American singer-songwriter, Pete Seeger, this song warns of the imminent danger faced by these extraordinary beings and calls on humanity to save “our singers in the sea.” It’s a wake up call to do all we can to save the majestic whales if we are to save ourselves.
Lyrics
SONG OF THE WORLD'S LAST WHALE
By Pete Seeger
I heard the song of the world's last whale
As I rocked in the moonlight
And reefed the sail.
It'll happen to you
Also without fail
If it happens to me
Sang the world's last whale.
It was down off Bermuda
Early last spring
Near an underwater mountain
Where the humpbacks sing.
I lowered a microphone
About a quarter mile down
Switched on the recorder
And listened for the sound.
I didn't just hear grunts,
I didn't just hear squeaks,
I didn't just hear bellows,
I didn't just hear shrieks.
It was the musical singing
And the passionate wail
That came from the heart
Of the world's last whale.
Down in the Antarctic
The harpoons wait
But it's up on the land
We'll decide their fate
In London town
They'll be telling the tale
If it's life or death
For the world's last whale.
So here's a little test
To see how you feel
Here's a little test
For this Age of the Automobile
If we can save
Our singers in the sea,
Perhaps there's a chance
To save you and me.
I heard the song
Of the world's last whale
As I rocked in the moonlight
And reefed the sail,
It'll happen to you
Also without fail
If it happens to me
Sang the world's last whale
If it happens to me
Sang the world’s last whale
Words and music by Pete Seeger © Stormking Music (BMI)