See fotos from the Save our Seaport rally here and here.    Below, with Peking and Helen McAllister as backdrop of “hostage” vessels , South Street Seaport founder and first president Peter Sanford speaks of the Museum’s past AND future, while

supporters listen and cheer.    Ships . . . present.  Supporters . . . present and spirited.  Current management  . . .   er . . .   absent!!??

Well then, some new lyrics to “Leave her Johnny,” a traditional sea shanty melody . . . click here if you don’t know the tune.

“Oh the times were hard and donations slow

Leave us, Frankie, leave us

But it’s no excuse for the ships to go

And it’s time for you to leave us.

Chorus:

Leave us, Frankie, leave us

Oh, leave us, Mary, leave us,

For the ships must stay and you must go

And it’s time for you to leave us.

Chorus

So we’ll sand and paint through snow and rain

Leave us, Frankie, leave us

And sail our tug and schooners again

And it’s time for you to leave us.

Chorus

Scrimshaw models print shop too

Leave us, Frankie, leave us

Should all be out on public view 

And it’s time for you to leave us

Chorus

Long hours, hard work, and nopay

Leave us, Frankie, leave us

The volunteers do more than play

And it’s time for you to leave us

Chorus

Fotos by Will Van Dorp, who previously posted our the Seaport struggle here and here.

Meanwhile and unrelated, an update on Blue Marlin . . . as of late afternoon, Blue Marlin had still not “sunk,” and the tug starboard aft is Vulcan III, no doubt assisting with preparations to receive the cargo.