A boy to me was bound apprenticed
Because his parents they were poor
So I took him from St. James' workhouse
All for to sail on the Greenland shore

One day this poor boy he did annoy me
Nothing to him then did I say
But I rushed him to my frozen yardarm
And I kept him there 'til early next day

When his eyes and his teeth hang before me
With his hands and his feet down bowed
And with a tarry gasket there I killed him
For I would not hear his cries below
I would not hear his cries below

Now all you sea captains that navyin' here'
Take a fair advantage by me
Don't abuse your young apprentice boys
Or else its hanged you'd surely be