This Was The Happiest Period In His Life. ...

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

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

E's for the ensign that at our mast flew

F's for the forecastle where lives our crew

G's for the galley where the salt junk smells strong

And H for the halyards we hoist with a song

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

I's for the eyebolts, no good for the feet

J's for the jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet

K's for the knighthead where our petty officer stands

L's for the leeside, hard found by new hands

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

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 boats

And P's for the pinnace which lively do float

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

Q's for the quarterdeck where our officer stands

R's for the rudder that keeps the ship in command

S is for the stunsells that drive her along

And T's for the topsail, to get there takes long

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

U's for the uniform, mostly worn aft

V's for the vangs running from the main gaff

W's for water, we're on a pint and a pound

And X marks the spot where old Stormies had drowned

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

Y's for the yardarm, needs a good sailor man

Z is for Zoe, and I'm her fancy man

Z's also for zero in the cold winter time

And now we have brought all the letters in rhyme

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

...

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

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'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

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, 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 Keyes has sent a letter

John Lee, you're turning around your fate again

Oh, John Lee

John Lee, you're turning around your fate again

Oh, John Lee

"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"

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