Good-Bye! (a chantey to be sung at the capstan)

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Good-bye to Dirty Kate's saloon -
Walk 'er round!
As we slither past the last sand dune -
Walk 'er round!
We're outward bound!

Good-bye to all our friends in town -
Walk 'er round!
Our friends - while we had half a crown -
Walk 'er round!
We're outward bound!

Good-bye to the rum that scrapes like wire -
Walk 'er round!
And whiskey with its claws of fire -
Walk 'er round!
We're outward bound!

Good-bye to the gravestones on the hill -
Walk 'er round!
Above the town where we got our fill -
Walk 'er round!
We're outward bound!

Our fill of the kind that cry "Give, give!" -
Walk 'er round!
Of the people that say "We've got to live!" -
Walk 'er round!
We're outward bound!

Good-bye, till we come to get trimmed again -
Walk 'er round!
For it's always the way with sailormen -
Walk 'er round!
We're outward bound!

For there's something about this going to sea -
Walk 'er round!
That makes a fellow big and free -
Walk 'er round!
We're outward bound!

So lean on your bars and walk 'er round -
Walk 'er round!
There's a good stiff wind, and we're outward bound! . . .
Thank God, boys, we're outward bound! -
Walk 'er round!
We're outward bound!

© Harry Kemp