SO LONG (ALL COILED DOWN)

Chorus:
All coiled down, an' it's time for us to go;
Every sail's furled in a neat harbour stow;
Another ship for us, an' for her another crew -
So long, sailorman, here's good luck to you!

Fun an' friends I wish you, till your pay's all gone -
Pleasure while you're spending, satisfaction when you're done -
A chest that's never empty, when you're back to sea,
An' a better ship than she's been, an' a truer pal than me.

Chorus

A good berth I wish you, in a ship that's well found,
With a decent crowd up forrard, an' her running gear all sound,
Spars a man can trust, when it comes for to blow,
An' no bucko mate a-bawlin', when it's your watch below.

Chorus

A good Trade I wish you, an' a fair landfall,
Neither fog nor iceberg, long calm nor squall,
A pleasant port to come to, when your work's all through -
Rolling down to Sailortown, here's good luck to you.

Final Chorus:
All coiled down, an' it's time for us to go;
Every sail's furled in a neat harbour stow;
Another ship for us, an' for her another crew -
So long, sailor-man, here's good luck to you!
So long, sailor-man, here's good luck to you!

(Original words from the poem So Long by C. Fox Smith
      in Sea Songs & Ballads © 1924, pp. 101
As sung by Danny & Joyce McLeod on
      Never a Cross Word, © 2002 Old & New Tradition
Words slightly modified by Charlie Ipcar - 8/12/02
Tune by Alan Fitzsimmons © 1998, used with permission)

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picture of Dick Dufresne

Dick Dufresne
Kennebunkport, Maine