Lyrics

This dirty town has been my home
since last time I was sailing,
But I’ll not stay another day,
I’d sooner be a’whaling,

(Chorus:)
Oh lord above, send down a dove,
with wings as sharp as razors,
To cut the throats of them there blokes,
what sells bad beer to sailors!

Paid off m’ ‘score’ and then ashore,
m’ money soon was flying,
With Judy Lee all on my knee,
and in my ear a lying. (Chorus:)

With m’ new-found friends, m’ money spends,
just as fast as winking,
But when I make to clear the slate,
the landlord says: “Keep drinking!” (Chorus:)

With m’ payoff gone, and clothes in pawn,
and Judy set for leaving,
Six months’ of pay’s gone in three days,
but Judy isn’t grieving. (Chorus:)

When the crimp comes round I’ll take his pound,
and his hand I’ll be shaking,
Tomorrow morn’ sail for The Horn,
just as the dawn is breaking. (Chorus:)

Well it’s one last trip from port I’ll ship,
but next time back I’m swearing,
I’ll settle down in my home town,
no more I’ll go seafaring. (Chorus:)