Songdetails

Song: The Limejuice Ship
Now, if you want a merchant ship to sail the seas at large,
you'll not have any trouble if you have a good discharge,
Signed by the Board o' Trade an' ev'rything exact,
for there's nothin' done on a limejuice ship contrary to the act.

So haul boys your weather main brace an' ease away your lee,
hoist jibs an' top-s'ls lads an' let the ship go free.
Hurrah, boys, hurrah ! We'll sing this Jubilee,
damn an' beggar the Navy, boys, a merchant ship for me !

Now when you join a merchant ship you'll hear your Articles read,
they'll tell you of your beef an' pork, your butter and your bread,
your sugar, tea, an' coffee, boys, your peas an' beans exact,
your limejuice an' vinegar, boys, according to the act.

So haul boys...

No watch an' watch the first day out, according to the act,
ten days out we all lay aft to get our limejuice whack.
Fetch out her handy billy, boys, and clap it on the tack,
for we gonna set the main-s'ls, oh, according to the act.

So haul boys...


(Traditional)