My father often told me when I was just a lad A sailor's life was very hard, the food was always bad
But now I've joined the Navy, aboard a man-o'-war But now I find a sailor ain't a sailor anymore
Don't fall off the rope, don't climb up the mast If you see a sailing ship it might be a lad
Get your savings ready for another round the shore A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
The keelick of a mess, he says we got it soft It was like this in his day when he was up aloft
We're like a bunks and steamer bags of what's a hammock for A springing from the deck, head or lying on the floor
Don't fall off the rope, don't climb up the mast If you see a sailing ship it might be a lad
Get your savings ready for another round the shore A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
They gave us an engine, the first one up and down With some more technology the engine went around
We know we're steam and diesel but what's a man-o'-war A stoker ain't a stoker with a shovel anymore
Don't fall off the rope, don't climb up the mast If you see a sailing ship it might be a lad
Get your savings ready for another round the shore A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
They gave us an older stamp so we can do it right They gave us a radio to signal day and night
We know we're codes and ciphers but what's a semaphore A bunting tosser doesn't toss the bunting anymore
Don't fall off the rope, don't climb up the mast If you see a sailing ship it might be a lad
Get your savings ready for another round the shore A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
Two cans of beer a day and that's your bleeding lot They gave us an extra one because we swabbed the top
So get on your civic clothes you'll find a pub ashore A sailor's still a sailor just like he was before
Don't fall off the rope, don't climb up the mast If you see a sailing ship it might be a lad
Get your savings ready for another round the shore A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
Don't fall off the rope, don't climb up the mast If you see a sailing ship it might be a lad
Get your savings ready for another round the shore A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore