My father often told me when I was just a lad
A sailor's life was very hard, the food was always bad
But now I've joined the navy, aboard a man o' war
But now I find a sailor ain't a sailor anymore
Don't pull on the rope
Don't climb up the mast
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Just get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
The killick of our mess, he says we got it soft
Wasn't like this in his day when he was up aloft
We like our bunks and sleeping bags, and what's a hammock for?
A swingin' from the deckhead or lying on the floor?
Don't pull on the rope
Don't climb up the mast
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Just get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
They gave us an engine that first went up and down
With some more technology the engine went around
We know a steam and diesel, but what's a mainyard for?
A stoker ain't a stoker with a shovel anymore
Don't pull on the rope
Don't climb up the mast
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Just get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
They gave us an Aldis lamp, so we could do it right
They gave us a radio to signal day and night
We know our codes and ciphers, but what's a semaphore?
A bunting tosser doesn't toss the bunting anymore
Don't pull on the rope
Don't climb up the mast
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Just get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
Two cans of beer a day and that's a bleedin' lot
They gave us an extra one because we swabbed the top
So, get on your civvy clothes, you'll find a pub ashore
A sailor's still a sailor, just like he was before
Don't pull on the rope
Don't climb up the mast
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Just get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
Don't pull on the rope
Don't climb up the mast
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Just get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore