Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate

(album: Smoke & Oakum - 2022)

Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack
Safe and sound at home again, let the waters roar, Jack
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack
Don't forget your old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe

Since we sailed from Plymouth Sound, four years gone, or nigh, Jack
Was there ever chummies, now, such as you and I, Jack?
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack
Don't forget your old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe

We have worked the self-same gun, quarterdeck division
Sponger I and loader you, through the whole commission
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack
Don't forget your old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe

Oftentimes have we laid out, toil nor danger fearing
Tugging out the flapping sail to the weather earring
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack
Don't forget your old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe

When the middle watch was on, and the time went slow, boy
Who could choose a rousing stave, who like Jack or Joe, boy?
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack
Don't forget your old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe

There she swings, an empty hulk, not a soul below now
Number seven starboard mess, misses Jack and Joe now
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack
Don't forget your old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe

But the best of friends must part, fair or foul the weather
Hand your flipper for a shake, now a drink together
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack
Don't forget your old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
Long we've tossed on the rolling main, now we're safe ashore, Jack
Don't forget your old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!