I sailed my ship for many a day,
Across the stormy sea;
Many a ruffian I have carried
And never refused but three.
They met me on a summer day
And saw my gallant ship,
And sought a passage to the other side
Upon a hurried trip.
They offered all the dough they had,
Mixed with a little sass;
That made me kinda hesitate
And ask them for a pass.
They deemed a pass unnecessary
For men of their degree,
And insisted that I take my ship
And sail it out to sea.
An old man who was standing by
And noted what they said,
Saw them kick me in the ribs
And strike me on the head.
He heard them say they’d steal the boat
And put it out to sea,
And sail away to the other side
To some strange countr’ee.
But now the coward of the bunch
The one you’d think was brave
Suggested that they turn again
And hide in a mountain cave.
And as the day went slowly by,
I heard the truth in time,
I found that they were murderers
And guilty of a crime.
So, as I sail my sturdy ship
Until my life has ceased,
I know not whom my friends may be
Unless they’ve traveled East.
