I thought I heard the Old Man say

John Kanakanaka too-ri-ay

Today today is a holiday

John Kanakanaka too-ri-ay

I thought I heard the boatswain say…

There’s work tomorrow but no work today…

The boatswain says “Before I’m through

You’ll curse your mother for having you”

There’s rotten meat and weevily bread

Just like the Gate the Old Man said

She would not steer and she would not stay

She shipped the water both night and day

We’re all Liverpool born and bred

Strong in the arm but thick in the head

Growl ye may but go you must

If you growl too loud your head they’ll bust

Around Cape Horn our ship must go

Around Cape Horn through the ice and snow

My dear old mum she wrote to me

Oh son, my son come home from sea

It’s one more pull and that will do

And we’re the bullies to pull her through