"Always keep good
company when you go on a spree." Good advice, for sailors and
non-sailors alike!
You sailors all, come lend an ear, and listen to me song
it's of a trick 'twas played on me, and I won't detain you long:
I came home from sea the other day and a girl I chanced to meet
and she asked me up along with her to dance in Patrick Street.
Well says I "me pretty fair maid, I cannot dance too well,
besides I'm bound for Newry town where my parents there do dwell.
I've been at sea these last few years and I've saved up fifty pounds,
and my parents are expecting me, tonight in Newry town."
"Well since you cannot dance too well then you shall have a treat:
You can have a glass of brandy, or something nice to eat.
At nine o'clock this evening I'll lead you to your train,
but don't forget to call on me when you come back again."
Well, she seemed to be so friendly, I went and hired a car.
We both went down to Patrick Street and on arrival there,
The people on the other side, I thought I heard them say
"Oh, he'll sure be in need of a jaunting car, before he gets away."
Well, we had not been long in the room when whiskey it came in,
And when everyone had had their fill, the dancing did begin.
Me and me love we danced around all to a merry tune,
While the other couples did the double-shuffle 'round the room.
And when dancin' it was over, for bed we did prepare -
And after that, I fell asleep - and when I awakened there
me darling and me fifty pounds and gold and all had fled!
And there was I meself alone stark naked lying in bed!
In gazing all around me nothing did I spy
But a woman's skirt and jumper at the foot of the bed did lie.
I wrung me hands and tore me hair cryin' "Oh what will I do?
Oh fare the well sweet Newry town, it seems I won't see you!"
When night-time it had come again and daylight was away
I put on the skirt and jumper and I set off for the quay,
and when I went on board the ship the sailors all did say
"Oh Jack has grown much prettier since last she went away!
And is this the new spring fashion that you went to buy on shore?
And where's the shop that sells them, d'you think they may have more
The captain said "Now Jack, I thought you went to Newry town;
you might have bought a better suit than that for fifty pounds!"
"Well, I might have bought a better suit if I had had the chance.
I met a girl in High Street and she's asked me to a dance.
I danced me own destruction and I did it so complete,
that I vow I'll never go back again to dance in Patrick Street
So, come all of you young sailor boys, a warning take by me,
And always keep good company when you go on a spree.
Oh, please stay clear of Patrick Street or else you'll rue the day
In a woman's skirt and jumper they will ship you back to sea!
