"The Will" genre: Folk
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	Song based on a true story. In May 1998, Wilfred Critchley set out, from Knott End near Blackpool, for the Isle of Man, to see his brother. He was in a converted canal boat. He had been brought back once by the coastguards, as his vessel was unseaworthy. He managed to get three quarters of he way across, (he was seen by another vessel), His body was washed up in Holyhead in early June, 1998.
	MP3.com CD: Flying Free - buy it! CD: Flying Free   Label: Manatee Press Credits: Written, sung, recorded, engineered and published by Charlotte Peters Rock
	Story Behind the Song Motivation for the song? Wilfred Critchley was exercising his right to freedom. We all have the right to take our own risks. A famous French yachtsman, who always refused to wear a safety harness in high seas, was washed overboard, and died, at about the same time as Wilfred Critchley. The Frenchman was called 'brave'. Wilfred Critchley, who was 76 years old, was called a fool. They were both exercising their right to risk. Lyrics The Will chorus He sailed on 'The Will' for the sweet Isle of Man No small land-locked skipper was he He sailed on 'The Will' for the sweet Isle of Man And 'The Will' and the sea set him free A Bolton born lad Wilfred Critchley by name made a boat for the rest of his days A Bolton born lad Wilfred Critchley by name made a boat for his watery ways ch He called it 'The Will' and steered up to Knott End from Blackpool where he'd lived til then He called it 'The Will' and steered on from Knott End due west for the sweet Isle of Man ch He'd travelled the by-waters all round the land No salty old sea-dog was he He'd travelled the by-waters all round the land and looked for the sea to be free ch In seventy-six years he had not crossed the sea except for a ferry or two In seventy-six years he had not crossed the sea He longed to sail into the blue ch He packed up his tunes and his galley of store and fuel to go a long way He packed up his tunes and his galley of store and waited for one last day ch He left his two friends a small packet of cash to drink to his sea-faring health He left his two friends a small packet of cash More loose change than a sign of great wealth ch Then casting his lot with the sea-faring men he set out on the grey Irish Sea Then casting his lot with the sea-faring men he waved once then set off to be free ch And everyone said he could not stay afloat The coastguards were high in the air And everyone said he could not stay afloat People said that he hadn't a prayer ch His prayer was for freedom of seventy-six years His prayer was to go his own way His prayer was for freedom of seventy-six years His freedom to travel away ch He sang of the sea as the waves beat his boat He ate the last meal he prepared He sang of the sea as the waves beat his boat Do you know how this sea-farer fared? ch They picked up his body on Holyhead shore He had died as he wanted to die They picked up his body on Holyhead shore But please don't feel that you must cry ch (+ last two lines of chorus twice) Copyright 1999 Charlotte Peters Rock

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