Lyrics - Billy Joel - The Downeaster "Alexa" Lyrics

The Downeaster "Alexa" Lyrics - Billy Joel

Well I'm on the Downeaster "Alexa"
And I'm cruising through Block Island Sound
I have charted a course to the Vineyard
But tonight I am Nantucket bound

We took on diesel back in Montauk yesterday
And left this morning from the bell in Gardiner's Bay
Like all the locals here I've had to sell my home
Too proud to leave I worked my fingers to the bone

So I could own my Downeaster "Alexa"
And I go where the ocean is deep
There are giants out there in the canyons
And a good captain can't fall asleep

I've got bills to pay and children who need clothes
I know there's fish out there but where God only knows
They say these waters aren't what they used to be
But I've got people back on land who count on me

So if you see my Downeaster "Alexa"
And if you work with the rod and the reel
Tell my wife I am trawling Atlantis
And I still have my hands on the wheel

Now I drive my Downeaster "Alexa"
More and more miles from shore every year
Since they tell me I can't sell no stripers
And there's no luck in swordfishing here.

I was a bayman like my father was before
Can't make a living as a bayman anymore
There ain't much future for a man who works the sea
But there ain't no island left for islanders like me

Writer: JOEL, BILLY
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Powerful song | Reviewer: Matt | 5/10/13

I stumbled on this gem while watching Hangerover 2 also! However, I am reading The Perfect Storm by Sabastian Junger. A fantastic book, made into a movie of course, that does a superb job of giving orientation and history of this area and difficulties of life in the fishing industry.

Wow | Reviewer: Corey | 4/7/13

Anyone who gets this upset over the lyrics of a song needs some anger management. Let the lyrics mean what the listener wants to imagine. And stop bashing people's view of the song...you know who you are.

Really, it is a song... | Reviewer: Bobby | 4/2/13

I am ashamed to admit how I discovered this gem. My son made me watch hangover 2. This song came on. I instantly loved it. I used Shazam to uncover if title.

I love the energy and pride in the melody. It just flies or more appropriately sails. The lyrics are another brilliant piece from Billy Joel. Like several of his work it tells a vivid tale.

Giants | Reviewer: Andrew | 3/12/13

Anyone consider that the Giants he refers to might have multiple meanings? Every good poet and lyricist does this. The obvious giants are the swordfish and tuna he seeks after his striper were banned. The giant waves, and- in winter- icebergs, are dangers to contend with. Most of all, the men who take small boats into deep water to fish are giants, and he celebrates their bravery and work ethic.

A thought: just because you are right does not mean you have the only answer. Downeaster is a kind of boat, but the name was re-used. The 1800s Downeaster is no longer used, but the modern one is. It may be wood or fiberglass. Insulting someone does not make you right.

Working man's ballad | Reviewer: Shedevil | 3/2/13

This is a great song that truly sings to the souls of any working man, not just the fishermen. It's about the fickleness of life, the hardships and the struggle to provide for a family and doing whatever you can to make ends meet above the obstacles that always seem to come up. The weight of that responsibility and how it weighs on them.

What happened to civility | Reviewer: Mike | 2/27/13

I'm reading the posts here and everyone is angry...it's just a song and only Billy Joel really knows what it's about....so ease up, stop bashing people's intelligence over a freakin' song. If we can't get along in this country, I swear it will be our demise. Pick your battles more wisely and embrace each other as Americans, because one day we will actually have to fight just to keep this nation afloat.

No, no, no | Reviewer: Larry | 2/13/13

It's amazing how people don't have a single clue about this song.

A downeaster is a fishing boat used to fish off New England, especially maine (hence the name Downeaster, get it?), but often used in other areas as well. It is not usually wooden (but can be) and certainly not a product on the 19th century. It has a cabin with a galley and bunkbeds, and is usually around 30-40 feet long.

The stripers are of course not striped marlin as there has never been a fishing restriction on those -- they are striped bass. Striper is a nickname for striped bass, NO ONE calls striped marlin "stripers." Stripers were severely overfished in the 80s fishing of stripers was sharply restricted as a conservation effort, which is what the song refers to.

The giants in the canyons refers to the huge waves in the ocean, not to tuna! Ridiculous! He's saying that you have to be vigiliant at the helm of your ship because of the extreme nature of the sea.

Threads like these really remind me how low many IQs are....

Just a note from a local boater. | Reviewer: James of LI | 1/8/13

To correct Jason and then to correct the people critiquing him, because I am a know it all too. A downeaster is a popular fishing boat often used in small scale commercial operations on Long Island and a lot of other places. They are just a rugged all purpose boat, usually around 35'. They are made of fiberglass, not wood. The "stripers" he is referring to are striped bass. I don't think we have "striped marlin" around here, even in the canyons. I could see how this song might confuse people who aren't familiar with Long Island, but every place he mentions from the bell in gardiner's bay to the Atlantis canyon, are real places.

regulation | Reviewer: Scott | 1/4/13

I dive the waters of the deep sea. I have seen with mine own eyes the fish you all speak of only but a spear length away. You will only see such a sight at depths that may not allow you ever to come back tell your tale.
I now realize I could eat a hole bag of pepperidge farm goldfish right now. WoW

the songs dates | Reviewer: btc | 12/21/12

If you knew anything about commercial fishing Jason you'd know that a down-easter was a 19th century fishing boat made of wood. The down-easter is not used in fishing today. The song is about a time long passed before any restrictions on fishing were in place.

wonderful | Reviewer: Ryan | 9/28/12

I've known this song for years. I don't claim to have ever sailed professionally or even done any fishing except for Mackerel off my uncles dock. But the first time I heard this song it struck me as such a beautiful and powerful piece of music.

The story it tells. The care and hard work that goes into this way of life that is steadily disappearing. Its wonderful and heartbreaking all at once and of all Billy's songs 'The Downeaster Alexa' will always resonate with me as one of the most beautiful.

Trying to school us on stripers? | Reviewer: Michael | 9/28/12

@ Jason. If people didn't commercial fish striped bass, why is there always the threat of banning commercial fisherman from them? Do a little research before you say commercial fishing striped bass is stupid. Striped bass are the new york state marine fish. Pretty sure they were banned in the late 80's early 90's when the song was written. Any bans on striped marlin?

BILLY JOELS-ALEXA LOCATION. | Reviewer: JAMES | 9/24/12

THOUGH I'VE LOVED THIS BEAUTIFUL CLASSIC IN IT'S OWN TIME,

I APPRECIATE EVERY WORD THE LOCALS GAVE US TO EXPLAIN THE SUROUNDING

AREAS, IT ADDS A GREAT DEAL, ALSO WITH THAT FEAR DEEP INSIDE OF PROUD MEN WHOSE LIKELIHOODS ARE NOW BECOMING BUT A MEMORY AS SO MUCH OF OUR WORLD HAS BECOME..WE SURE CAN'T ALL SELL ''SHAM-WOWS '' ON THE NETWORK..
(MY SCRIPTS NOT MEANT TO 'SHOUT?? IT'S SO I CAN SEE IT..)

striped marlin | Reviewer: jason | 9/16/12

The stripers are striped marlin not bass, who the hell commercail fishes bass, thats just stupid. He's a swordfisher not a man on a three day weekend. Also just to say it again the vineyard and atlantis are real places not a metaphor for heaven. He's not dead, just his way of life and the fish that provide it almost are.

listen it to become into a peaceful mind | Reviewer: santhosh | 9/11/12

Yeah really so pleasant song from Billy Joel, Im listening it again and again and again... And his voice too which made me to listen this song more and more...
This song takes me to an Island for a pleasant and peaceful mind...

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