Jackie Brown

When I first landed in Liverpool I went upon a spree Being paid off at last I spent it fast got drunk as drunk could be And when me money was all gone it was then I wanted more A man must be blind to make up his mind to go to sea once more Once more, once more, once more, me lads once more A man must be blind to make up his mind to go to sea once more. 2. A Lime Street girl drew up to me and offered me a bed But when I awoke on the next day’s morn with me watch and me money she’d fled And as I walk the streets about the whores they all do roar "There goes young Jack the sailor lad he must go to sea once more" Once more, once more, once more, me lads once more "There goes young Jack the sailor lad he must go to sea once more" 3. As I was walking down the street I met with Jackie Brown I asked him if he’d take me in, he eyed me with a frown He said, "Last time you was paid off with me you ran up a score But I’ll take a chance and I’ll give an advance and I’ll send you to sea once more" Once more, once more, once more, me lads once more But I’ll take a chance and I’ll give an advance and I’ll send you to sea once more" 4. He shipped me aboard a whaling ship that was bound for Arctic seas Where the cold winds blow and the frost and snow would make your rum ration freeze And worse to say I’ve no hard weather gear for I’ve lost all me money ashore My God, how I wish that I was dead and I’d go to sea no more No more, no more, no more, me lads no more My God, how I wish that I was dead and I’d go to sea no more. 5. Sometimes we’re catching whales, me lads and sometimes we’re catching none With a twenty foot oar stuck in your hand from four o’clock in the morn And when the shades of night come on you rest your weary oar Tis then that you wish that you were dead or safe with the girls ashore Ashore, ashore, ashore me lads ashore Tis then that you wish that you were dead or safe with the girls ashore. 6. So come all you bold seafaring lads and listen to me song When you come off those long, long trips I pray you’ll never go wrong Take my advice, drink no strong wine and take up with no whore Get married instead, have all night in bed and go to sea no more No more, no more, no more, me lads no more Get married instead, have all night in bed and go to sea no more.