Now as I was a-walking down London Road I come to Paddy West's house;
He gave me a bowl of American hash and he called it Liverpool scouse;
He says, "There's a ship a-wanting hands and on her you'll quickly sign;
Her mate he's a bastard, her bosun's worse, but she will suit you fine!"
Chorus:
Take off your dungaree jacket, and give yourself a rest,
And we'll sing of them cold nor'westers that we had at Paddy West's.
Now when we left our port, me boys, the wind began to blow;
Paddy sent me up to the attic, the main royal for to stow,
But when I got up to the attic, no main royal could I find,
So I turns around to the window, boys, and furled the window blind...
Then Paddy he pipes all hands on deck, their stations for to man;
And his wife she stood in the doorway, with a bucket in her hand;
Then Paddy cried out, "Now let her rip!" and she flung the water our way,
Saying, "Clew up your foreto'gall'sails, boys, she's taking in the spray!"...
And then we was off the southard, boys, for 'Frisco we was bound;
Paddy took up a length of rope and he laid it on the ground;
And we all stepped over and back again and he says, "With me that's fine.
Now if ever they ask 'Has you been to sea?' you can say you've crossed the line"...
"Now there's just one thing that you must do before you sail away;
That's march around the table, boys, where the bullock's horn does lay;
And if ever they ask, 'Has you been to sea?' you can say ten times 'round the horn,
And, be cripes, you've been a sailor since the day that you was born"...
Final Chorus:(2X)
Put on your dungaree jacket, and step out looking your best,
You can tell 'em that you're a bold sailor lad thats come from Paddy West's!
|
Charlie Ipcar
Richmond, Maine |