(This was the happiest period in his life. All locked set fair for a career until he was stricken with sickness and invalided out of his chosen niche in life. Reluctantly and unhappily he turned to a number of menial occupations and finally returned to the services of Miss Keyse)
[Part I]
[Verse 1]
A's for the anchor that lies at our bow
B's for the bowsprit and the jibs all lie low
C's for the capstan we all run around
D's for the davits to lower the boat down
[Chorus]
Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong
[Verse 2]
E's for the ensign that at our peak flew
F's for the focsle where lives our wild crew
G's for the galley where the salt junk smells strong
And H is the halliards we hoist with a song
[Chorus]
And merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong
[Verse 3]
I's for the eyebolt, no good for the feet
J's for the jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet
K's for the knightheads where the petty officer stands
L's for the leeside, hard found by new hands
[Chorus]
Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong
[Verse 4]
M's for the mainmast, it's stout and it's strong
N's for the needle that never points wrong
O's for the oars of our old jolly boat
And P's for the pinnace that lively do float
[Chorus]
Oh merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong
[Verse 5]
Q's for the quarterdeck where our officers stand
And R's for the rudder that keeps the ship in command
S is for the stunsells that drive her along
T's for the topsail, to get there takes long
[Chorus]
Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong
[Verse 6]
U's for the uniform mostly worn aft
V's for the vangs running from the main gaff
And W's for water, we're on a pint and a pound
And X marks the spot where old Stormy was drowned
[Chorus]
Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong
[Verse 7]
Y's for yardarm, needs a good sailorman
Z is for Zoe, I'm her fancy man
Z's also for zero in the cold wintertime
And now we have brought all the letters in rhyme
[Chorus]
Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong
[Instrumental Break]
[Violin Solo]
[Part II]
[Verse 8]
John Lee, your headache's growing, the cold wind's blowing
But the sea's without a ripple
John Lee, your forehead's damp, your muscles cramp
And the sea can't use a cripple
[Refrain]
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
[Verse 9]
John Lee's been made a freeman, his heart's a seaman
But his flesh won't make a sailor
Working in a big hotel, waiting for the bell
That's ringing for his labour
[Refrain]
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
[Verse 10]
John Lee, your chances are good, you better touch wood
We think things must get better
John Lee, you've a friend so true, she wants to help you
Miss Keyse has sent a letter
[Refrain]
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
[Verse 11]
"Dear John, come and work at The Glen, just write me when
And I'll send someone to meet you"
John's gone to where he started from
He's not worked long, just beginning to belong
"It hasn't been a very good day
The missus wants to halve my pay
Close the door and douse the light
It's quiet at night when he's tucked in tight
Sometimes I feel, when they're all in bed
It's almost like the whole world's dead
So I lay me down to sleep, I pray thee Lord my soul to keep"
[Refrain]
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee
