The Last Shanty

(album: Wellerman - The Album - 2022)

Well me father often told me when I was just a lad
A sailor's life is very hard, the food is always bad
But now I've joined the navy, I'm aboard a man-o-war
And now I've found a sailor ain't a sailor any more

Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast
And if you see a sailing ship it might be your last
Just get your civvies ready for another run-ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore

Well the killick of our mess he says we had it soft
It wasn't like that in his day when we were up aloft
We like our bunks and sleeping bags, but what's a hammock for?
Swinging from the deckhead, or lying on the floor?

Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast
And if you see a sailing ship it might be your last
Just get your civvies ready for another run-ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore

They gave us an engine that first went up and down
And then with more technology the engine went around
We know our steam and diesels but what's a mainyard for?
A stoker ain't a stoker with a shovel anymore

Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast
And if you see a sailing ship it might be your last
Just get your civvies ready for another run-ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore

Two cans of beer a day and that's your bleeding lot
And now I've got an extra one because they stopped The Tot
So we'll put on our civvy-clothes and find a pub ashore
A sailor's just a sailor just like he was before

Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast
And if you see a sailing ship it might be your last
Just get your civvies ready for another run-ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore

Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast
And if you see a sailing ship it might be your last
Just get your civvies ready for another run-ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore