From the recording Songs for Animals, People & the Earth
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
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’ 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
© by Pete Seeger, Stormking Music (BMI)