85 - The Sloop John B

Words by Traditional
Tune by Traditional

A shanty from the Bahamas first published in 1916 and later made famous by the Beach Boys. It is sung as a club anthem by Manchester United.

We come on the sloop John B
My Grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinkin’ all night
Got into a fight
Well, I feel so broke up and I want to go home

Hoist up the John B’s sails
See how the main sails set
Call for the captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home
I want to go home
Well, I feel so broke up, I want to go home

First mate, he got drunk
Broke up the people’s trunk
Constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don’t you leave me alone?
Well, I feel so broke up and I want to go home

Well, the poor cook he caught the fits
Threw away all of my grits
Then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home
I want to go home
This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on