- published: 07 Aug 2009
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Norman Keith Collins (January 14, 1911 - June 12, 1973) was a prominent American tattoo artist, known very well for his tattooing of sailors, he was also known as "Sailor Jerry".
Collins was born on January 14, 1911 in Northern California. As a child he hopped freight trains across the country and learned tattooing from a man named "Big Mike" from Palmer, Alaska. Practicing on drifters, he later sailed the Pacific Ocean before settling in Hawaii. A big brute with a dirty mouth, he often wore plain white T-shirts that exposed his ink-sleeved arms. Mike Malone, who took over Sailor Jerry's shop after he died, described Jerry as "a class-A pirate".
At age 19 Collins enlisted in the United States Navy. During his subsequent travels at sea he was exposed to the art and imagery of Southeast Asia. He remained a sailor for his entire life thereafter. Even during his career as a tattoo artist he worked as a licensed skipper of a large three-masted schooner, on which he conducted tours of the Hawaiian islands.
I wrote her name and address on the back of a cigarette pack
I didn't know then that I'd never be goin' back
the ferry was leaving when we pulled up to the quay
When we reached Hollyhead I was as sick as I could be
I didn't choose this way they made me go
I was a week on the job and I wanted to go back home
What I wouldn't do for a glimpse of the Christmas tree
hear all your voices callin' me
if I go back home again I'll just be hanging 'round
Maybe next year if my ship doesn't run aground
I should've listened to my brother Moran when he said
I was a fool, but it's too late now and I didn't make the rules
Oh, God, please have mercy on me
I'm all alone in another man's city
I'm not askin' for much just wanta go back home
see Mam and Dad and the boys, oh, God!
I should've listened to my brother Moran when he said
I was a fool, but it's too late now and I didn't make the rules
Oh, God, please have mercy on me
I'm all alone in another man's city
I'm not askin' for much just wanta go back home
See Mam and Dad and the boys, oh, God!