115 - Pretty Bird

I signed aboard a clipper ship
To sail the ocean blue
I left my love in London Town
And swore that I’d be true
And once we’d raised the anchor
I was talking with the crew
A bunch of nosey bastards
And they all wanted to know –

Do you have a girlfriend?
Have you got a wife?
I bet you’ve got some pretty bird
With whom you spend your life
Tell us all about her
While we’re sailing on the sea
And if you get back home again
Give her one from me!

Once the sails were hoisted
Their questions came apace
“Do you have a photograph
So we can see her face?
Does she have Mae West’s bristols?
Does she have ruby lips?
And does she dance with all the boys
Who go to sea in ships?”

(they asked me) Do you have…

I told them that I had a love
I wouldn’t share their name
And I didn’t want their questions
But they asked them just the same
Then when were in sight of shore
(we’d been two months at sea)
I called the big old first mate
And I gave my answer free:

No, I don’t have a girlfriend
I ain’t got no wife
But there’s a strong and handsome man -
With him I spend my life
He’s the one I dream of
When I sail the sail the ocean blue
And when we get back home again
I’ll give him one from you!

LGBTQ_plus