Off to Sea

When first I landed in Liverpool I went upon the spree
With money at last, I spent it fast, I got drunk as drunk could be
But when my money was all gone it was then that I wanted more
But a man must be blind to make up his mind to go to sea once more
Once more, once more, go to sea once more
But a man must be blind to make up his mind to go to sea once more
And as I walked down London road I met with a Rapper Brown
I asked him if he’d take me in and he looked at me with a frown
He said, “Last time you was paid off, to me you chucked no score”
“But I’ll give you a chance and I’ll take your advance
And I’ll send you to sea once more”
Once more, once more, send you to sea once more
But I’ll give you a chance and I’ll take your advance
And I’ll send you to sea once more
I shipped onboard of a whaling barque
We were bound for the Greenland seas
Where cold winds blow through frost and snow
Why Jamaica rum would freeze
And worst to bear, I’d no hard weather gear
As I’d spent all my money ashore
It was then that I wished that I was dead and could go to sea no more
No more, no more, go to sea no more
It was then that I wished that I was dead and could go to sea no more
Sometimes we’re catching whales, me lads
Sometimes we’re catching none
With a 20-foot oar stuck in your paw from four o’clock in the morn
And as the shades of night roll on and you rest on your weary oar
It was then that I wished that I was dead and could go to sea no more
No more, no more, go to sea no more
It was then that I wished that I was dead and could go to sea no more
So come all of you hard weather-sailing lads who listen to my song
When you get back from those long trips I’d have you not go wrong
Take my advice
Drink no strong drink, don’t you knock on that brothel door
But get married instead and spend all night in bed and go to sea no more
No more, no more, go to sea no more
But get married instead and spend all night in bed and go to sea no more
No more, no more, go to sea no more
But get married instead and spend, all night in bed and go to sea no more