Opinion: Sea shanties written for the digital age

A lot of us have spent more time than ever in front of screens these past, oh, twenty-two months. And some us have had to cry for help occasionally.

Information Technology workers may be today's seafarers over oceans of encoded information. Vital, but often anonymous voices. Essential, but often unseen.

We thought people might better appreciate those who defend our databases and keep our VPNs vibrant if we set their trials and triumphs to music. Like sailors with their sea shanties.

So Scott Simons, the Los Angeles musician, and I came up with a few songs to give voice to the digital derring-do of IT workers:

Oh, the call came in about 9:16Is this IT? I need youTried to log-on on me machineAnd there's nothing but dark all o'er my screen

Reboot says I!But I canna replyTil ye filled out form A-1-5!Tis' on our siteBut nothing works!I canna help you connect unless you connectPull down the menu and hit select!

Or a shanty about how IT workers have to sail into the stiff winds of something like an Extensible Authentication Protocol:

How do you handle an Authentication ProtocolExtensible Authentication ProtocolExtensible Authentication ProtocolEarly in the morning! Kick this to our Level 3 TechnicianKick this to our Level 3 TechnicianWe'll kick this to our Level 3 TechnicianAfter you fill out the ticket!

And a ballad of valor IT workers might sing to recall sailing in search of a safe port — to connect:

There once was a unit tried to FTPBut didn't have authenticated ISPThe screen went dark. The mouse dinna click.Into deep sleep it dippedSoon may the TCP/IP arrive!To bring us RJ45s!One day when the hard boot is doneWe'll take our leave and go...

I'm not sure what they're talking about. But don't those songs get your blood going? Sea shanties for IT workers, a Simon and Simons production. [Copyright 2022 NPR]