The Sailors Pemba Knew (Seamen)

Lyrics

[Intro]
Oh, gather 'round, ye landlubbers, listen to old Hornswoggle's tale.

[Verse 1]
My three uncles, they were seamen, proper ones, mind you.
Uncle Jedediah, born in Whitby, 1845, signed on at seventeen.
He crewed the barque Endeavour, Liverpool to Bombay, 1862.
Hands raw from hauling hemp ropes, tar-stink in his beard.
Seamen, every one, through gales that'd freeze your marrow at five degrees Celsius.
Reverend Goss, you listenin'? Seamen, I say, not a whiff of nonsense.

[Chorus]
They were seamen, seamen true,
Passin' the tin mug of grog at four a.m. watch,
Lukewarm spirits in that dented old thing, clinkin' against callused palms.
Seamen, with tattoos of pigs and roosters on their feet,
To ward off the deep's cruel grasp, November 1882.
Hornswoggle's blood, seamen all!

[Verse 2]
Uncle Tobias, he manned the forecastle on the Mary Celeste, 1872 logbook says.
Creakin' bunks, salt-stained, smellin' of damp wool and sweat.
They'd splice ropes with marlinspikes, wooden handles worn smooth as glass.
Fought the Irish Sea's howl, lanterns flickerin' at dusk, seven p.m. golden hour.
Seamen, Reverend, clear as day, no mistakin' it.
Passed that tin mug 'round the circle, hardtack soakin' in stew.

[Bridge]
Pemba knew 'em too, those sailors from the old days.
Told me stories by the fire, eyes gleamin' like polished brass sextants.
But it's the mug I remember, that tin vessel of brotherhood,
Holdin' the warmth against the bone-chill, five degrees, pitchin' deck.
Seamen, they were, and proud.

[Chorus]
They were seamen, seamen true,
Passin' the tin mug of grog at four a.m. watch,
Lukewarm spirits in that dented old thing, clinkin' against callused palms.
Seamen, with tattoos of pigs and roosters on their feet,
To ward off the deep's cruel grasp, November 1882.
Hornswoggle's blood, seamen all!

[Outro]
So raise your own mug, Reverend Goss, to the seamen of yore.
No shame in the word, just salt and storm.