In the Black Ball Line I served my time

Hurrah for the Black Ball Line!

In the Black Ball Line I had a good time

Hurrah for the Black Ball Line!

The Black Ball ships are good and true,

They are the ships for me and you.

For once there was a Black Ball ship,

That fourteen knots an hour could clip.

Her yards were square, and her gear all new,

She had a good and gallant crew.

One day whilst sailing on the sea,

They saw a vessel on their lee.

They knew it was a brigand craft,

Her iron guns before and aft.

She fired a shot across their bow,

Which was not kind you must allow.

They gave that vessel their sharp stem,

And cut her through; more praise to them.

They seized the crews wicked mate,

He was so bad they broke his pate.

The skipper and his godless crew,

They sunk beneath the waters blue.

It was a plucky thing to do,

To cut the bandit vessel through.

Then drink success to the Black Ball Line,

Their ships are good, their men are fine.

In the Black Ball Line I served my time,

In the Black Ball Line I had a good time.