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By Robert Boddington
Now see lad, now see lad
Yes what is it, sir?
Where am I? I seem to smell salt in the air
There’s a creaking and groaning coming from the floor
And outside I can hear a watery roar
Oh no sir don’t you know sir
It’s a whaler you’re in
The crew are all sturdy folk
Outside and in
We’ll challenge the reefs
And we’ll weather the gales
The Essex will go out in search of the whales
Now see lad, now see lad
Yes what is it, sir?
There’s been a mistake how’d I end up in here?
Last night I was raucous, the street was my bed
Perhaps I drank too much and now I am dead?
Oh no sir don’t you know sir
It’s a whaler you’re in
The crew are all sturdy folk
Outside and in
We’ll challenge the reefs
And we’ll weather the gales
The Essex will go out in search of the whales
Now see lad, now see lad
Yes what is it, sir?
There isn’t a chance you’ve a rowboat to spare?
I’ve been on this ship for a month now I think
I need to go home, I’m in need of a drink
Oh no sir don’t you know sir
It’s a whaler you’re in
The crew are all sturdy folk
Outside and in
We’ll challenge the reefs
And we’ll weather the gales
The Essex will go out in search of the whales
Now see lad, now see lad
Yes what is it, sir?
There’s a whale all approaching so let us prepare
To turn tale and run for that whale sure is large
This ship would be splinters if it were to charge
Oh no sir don’t you know sir
It’s a whaler you’re in
The crew are all sturdy folk
Outside and in
We’ll challenge the reefs
And we’ll weather the gales
The Essex will go out in search of the whales
Now see lad, now see lad
Yes what is it, sir?
I think I was right, the whale was coming here
I heard a great crash and we’re on a decline
My feet are all wet and that’s not a good sign
Oh no sir don’t you know sir
It’s a whaler you’re in
The crew are all sturdy folk
Outside and in
We’ll challenge the reefs
And we’ll weather the gales
The Essex will go out in search of the whales
Now see lad, now see lad
Yes what is it, sir?
Perhaps all this blue means we’re underwater
I think we are drowning, I think we are through
I think it’s the end of the fine Essex crew
Oh no sir don’t you know sir
It’s a whaler you’re in
The crew are all sturdy folk
Outside and in
We’ll challenge the reefs
And we’ll weather the gales
The Essex will go out in search of the whales
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