John Kanaka
As sung by Danny Spooner, Bold Reilly Gone Away, 2009
'I hear,' I heard the Old Man say
John Kanaka naka tu lai aye
'Tomorrow is our sailing day'
John Kanaka naka tu lai aye
Chorus
Tu lai aye oh tu lai aye
John Kanaka naka tu lai aye
I thought I heard the bosun say
'We'll work tomorrow, but not today'
The blower says, 'Before I'm done
You'll wish to Christ you was no man's son'
The striker says, 'Before I'm through
You'll curse your mother for having you'
There's rotten meat and musty bread
And 'Pump or drown!' the Old Man said
She wouldn't wear and wouldn't stay
She was taking water night and day
When we arrive in Mobile Bay
We'll tear the sheets and spend our pay
Just one suck-o and then belay
Tomorrow boys is our payday
New: 7 November, 2010 | Now: 7 November, 2010 | garrygillard [at] gmail [dot] com