Ratcliffe Highway

(From: The Digital Tratitional Mirror http://sniff.numachi.com)

This song is sung to the same tune as Blow the Man Down,  and is full of double-entendres, which partially hides its bawdy story.  

As I wuz a roll-in' down the High-way one morn,
I spied a flash pack-et from ol' Wapping town
As soon as I seed her I slacked me main brace,
An' I hoist-ed me stun-sl's an' to her gave chase,

Chorus:

Oh, me rig-gin's slack,  Aye me ratt-lin's are fray'd,
I've ratt-led me rig-gin' down Rat-cliffe High-way!

I fired me bow-chaser,  the signal she knew
She backed her main tops'l an' for me hove to'
I lowered down me jolly-boat an' roved alongside,
An' I found madam's gangway wuz open an' wide.

Chorus:

I entered her little cubby-hole,  an' swore,  "Damn your eyes!"
She wuz nothin' but a fireship rigged up in disguise;
She had a foul bottom,  from sternpost to fore;
'Tween the wind and water she ran me ashore.

Chorus:

She set fire to me riggin',  as well as me hull,
An' away to the lazareet I had to scull.
Wid me helm hard-a-starboard as I rolled along,
Me shipmates cried, "Hey,  Jack,  yer mainyard is sprung!"

Chorus:

Here's a health to the gal wid the black,  curly locks;
Here's a health to the gal who ran me on the rocks,
Here's a health to the quack,  boys,  who eased me from pain,
If I meet that flash packet I'll board her again!

Chorus:

Key of C

Key of F