CO-PILOT'S LAMENT
(Capt. A. Keith Murray)
I'm the co-pilot, I sit on the right
It's up to me to be quick and bright
I never talk back or I'll have regrets
And I must remember what the captain forgets.
I make out the flight plan and study the weather
Pull up the gear and stand by to feather
Make out the mail forms and do the reporting
And fly the old craft when the captain is snoring.
I take the readings and adjust the power
Put on the heaters when we're in a shower
Tell where we are on the darkest night
And do all the book work without any light.
I call for my captain and buy him Cokes
I always laugh at his corny jokes
And once in a while when his landings are rusty
I come through with "Gawd, but it's gusty!"
All in all, I'm a general stooge
As I sit to the right of this overall Scrooge
But maybe some day with great understanding
He'll soften a bit and give me a landing.
(Tune: The Cowboy's Lament)
from There I Was... Flat on my Back, Stevens