John Kamaka

Additional verses by the crew

I thought I heard the Old Man say
John Kamakamaka too-ri-ay
Today today is a holiday
John Kamakamaka too-ri-ay

Too-ri-ay, oh too-ri-ay
John Kamakamaka too-ri-ay

I thought I heard the boatswain say…
There’s work tomorrow but no work today…

The boatswain says “Before I’m through
You’ll curse your mother for having you”

There’s rotten meat and weev’ly bread
Just like the Gate the Old Man said

She would not steer and she would not stay
She shipped the water both night and day

We’re all Liverpool born and bred
Strong in the arm but thick in the head

Growl ye may but go you must
If you growl too loud your head they’ll bust

Around Cape Horn our ship must go
Around Cape Horn through the ice and snow

My dear old mum she wrote to me
Oh son, my son come home from sea

It’s one more pull and that will do
And we’re the bullies to pull her through