'Twas a cold and dreary morning in December, (December)
And all of me money, it was spent (spent, spent).
Where the Hell it went, I really can't remember (remember).
So down to the shipping office I went (went, went).
Chorus:
Paddy lay back (Paddy lay back)
Take in your slack (take in your slack).
Take a turn around the capstan, heave a pawl! (heave a pawl)
'Bout ship's stations, boys, be handy.
We're bound for Val-a-paraiso, 'round the horn.
That day there was a great demand for sailors.
For the colonies, for Frisco, and for France.
So I shipped aboard a Limey bark, the Hotspur.
Got paralytic drunk on my advance.
Chorus
'Twas on the quarterdeck where first I saw 'em.
Such an ugly bunch I never saw before.
There was a bum and stiff from every quarter,
And it made me poor old heart all sick and sore.
Chorus
There was Spaniards, there was Dutchmen, there were Rooshians,
And Johnny Crapoos just across from France.
And none of 'em could speak a word of English,
But they answered to the name of "Month's Advance."
Chorus
Well, we singled up and got the tugs alongside,
And they towed us through the locks and out to sea.
With half the crew puking o'er the lee side,
And the bloody fun that started sickened me.
Chorus
Well, I axed the first mate which watch was mine-o,
And he said he'd soon show me which watch was which.
Then he blowed me down and kicked me hard astern-o,
Calling me a dirty rotten son-of-a-bitch.
Chorus
So there I was once more again at sea, boys.
The same old ruddy business over again.
So stamp the capstan round and make some noise, boys.
And sing out once again that sweet refrain.
Chorus
|
Norris Dale
Portland, Maine |