This dirty town has been me home
since last time I was sailin’
But I’ll not stay another day
I’d rather go a-whalin’
Oh, Lord above, send down a dove
with beak as sharp as razors
To cut the throats of them there blokes
what sells bad beer to sailors


Paid off me score, an’ then ashore
me money soon was flyin’
With Judy Lee upon me knee
an’ in me ear alyin’

With me newfoun’ friends me money spends
as fast as a winkin’
But when I make to clean the slate
the landlord sais, “Keep drinkin’!”

With me payoffs gone an’ clothes in pawn
an’ Judy sad for leavin’
Six months of pay gone in three days,
but Judy ain’t a-grievin’

When the crimp comes round I’ll take his pound
an’ his hand I’ll be shakin’
Tomorrow morn’ sail for the Horn
just as the day is breakin’

Well it's one last trip from port i'll slip
but next time back I'm swearin
I'll settle down in my home town
no more I'll go seafarin'