Paddy Lay Back

It was a cold and dreary morning in December (December)

And all of me money, it was spent (Spent! Spent!)

Oh, where it went to, Lord, I can't remember (remember)

So down to the shipping office I went (Went! Went!)

Paddy, lay back (Paddy, lay back) take in your slack (Take in your slack)

Take a turn around the capstan, heave a pawl (Heave a pawl)

About ship stations, boys, be handy (Be handy)

We're bound for Valparaiso 'round the Horn!

That day there was a great demand for sailors (Sailors)

For the colonies, for Frisco, and for France. (France! France!)