The old sailor sat at the window seat
so he could watch as the ships went by.
And he drank from a glass that was always filled,
for the rest of us would die.
And he would tell us tales about ship and sails.
He was young and strong.
When he thought we'd heard enough of his words,
he'd break into a song.
Dee dee dee da da da,
dee dee dee da da da,
la da dee dee dee da da.
Each and every day he'd spend his way up to the strophe of oar.
Then a woman as rough as a dockside
tuft came bursting through the door.
She'd stalk up to that sailor,
and he'd shrink to the size of a pin.
She cursed and shouted as she hauled him out,
he'd say with a sheepish grin.
Oh yes,
I've sailed the southern oceans and the stormy northern sea.
Now that me sailin's over me boys,
it's harbor time for me.
I know you call us salt and pepper,
and an old salt I may be.
She may be pepper to you me boys,
she's sweet as sugar to me.
Yes,
we called them salt and pepper,
for that's the way she was.
And it seems she got as least as hot as fresh red pepper does.
And a bunch of the boys made offers to protect him from her wrath.
Each and every time he would decline,
declaring with a laugh.
Oh yes,
I've sailed the southern oceans and the stormy northern sea.
Now that me sailin's over me boys,
it's harbor time for me.
I know you call us salt and pepper,
and an old salt I may be.
Though she may be pepper to you me boys,
she's sweet as sugar to me.
I've found my body broken,
I've drained the bottle dry.
I've heard my name is spoken,
I spit in the devil's eye.
The sea once was my mistress,
now pepper is refilled when I'm. For I'm just another captain,
like the devil Captain Bligh.
And you can have little close ladies,
I'm made of old salt brine.
And the girl you saw had starch in her craw,
not a leash instead of a spine.
Sure the old girl can get tough at times,
but a sailor is what I've been.
And when the storm's about you learn to ride it out,
so you can sail once again.
Oh yes,
I've sailed the southern oceans and the stormy northern sea.
Now that me sailin's over me boys,
it's harbor time for me.
I know you call us salt and pepper,
and an old salt I may be.
Though she may be pepper to you me boys,
she's sweet as sugar to me.
Dee dee dee da da da,
dee dee dee da da da,
la dee dee dee dee da da.
Dee dee dee da da da,
dee dee dee da da da,
la dee dee dee dee da da.