Paddy Lay Back

'Twas a cold an' dreary mornin' in December December

Well, all of me money it was spent spent, spent

Where it went to, Lord, I barely can't remember remember

So down to the shippin' office went went, went

Paddy, lay back Paddy, lay back

Take in yer slack Take in yer slack

Take a turn around the capstan, heave a pawl

All around ship stations, boys, be handy

For we're bound for Valparaiso 'round the Horn

Ah, that day there wuz a great demand for sailors for sailors

For the Colonies and for 'Frisco and for France France, France

So I shipped aboard a Limey barque the Hotspur The Hotspur

An' got paralytic drunk on me advance 'vance, 'vance

Paddy, lay back Paddy, lay back

Take in yer slack Take in yer slack

Take a turn around the capstan, heave a pawl

All around ship stations, boys, be handy

For we're bound for Valparaiso 'round the Horn

'Twas on the quarterdeck where first I saw 'em I saw 'em

Such an ugly bunch I'd never seen before 'fore, 'fore

For the captain he had shipped a crew of Belgians Eughhh!

An' it made me poor ol' heart feel sick an' sore sore, sore

Paddy, lay back Paddy, lay back

Take in yer slack Take in yer slack

Take a turn around the capstan, heave a pawl

All around ship stations, boys, be handy

For we're bound for Valparaiso 'round the Horn

Ah, but Jimmy the rat he knew a thing or two, sir or two, sir

An' soon he'd shipped me outward bound again 'gain 'gain

On a Limey to the Chinchas for guano for guano?

An' soon was I a-roarin' this refrain 'frain 'frain

Paddy, lay back Paddy, lay back

Take in yer slack Take in yer slack

Take a turn around the capstan, heave a pawl

All around ship stations, boys, be handy

For we're bound for Valparaiso 'round the Horn

And I asked the mate a-which a-watch wuz mine-O wuz mine-O

Sez he, 'I'II soon find out a-which is which' which, which

An' he blowed me down an' kicked me hard a-stern-O a-stern-O

Callin' me a dirty rotten son-o'-a-bitch bitch, bitch

Paddy, lay back Paddy, lay back

Take in yer slack Take in yer slack

Take a turn around the capstan, heave a pawl

All around ship stations, boys, be handy

For we're bound for Valparaiso 'round the Horn

Ah, so there I was-a once again at sea, boys At sea, boys

The same ol' garbage over and over again 'gain, 'gain

So, won't you stamp the caps'n and make some noise, boys some noise, boys!

And join me all and singing the ol' sweet refrain 'frain, 'frain

Paddy, lay back Paddy, lay back

Take in yer slack Take in yer slack

Take a turn around the capstan, heave a pawl

All around ship stations, boys, be handy

For we're bound for Valparaiso 'round the Horn