Ben Backstay - Burl Ives

Ben Backstay was a boatswain

A very jolly boy

No lad than he more merrily

Could pipe all hands ahoy

And when unto his summons

We did not well attend

No lad than he more merrily

Could handle a rope’s end

Singing chip cho, cherry cho

Fol de riddle ido

Singing chip cho, cherry cho

Fol de riddle ido

It chanced one day our captain

A very jolly dog

Served out to all the company

A double share of grog

Ben Backstay he got tipsy

Unto his heart’s content

And being half-seas over

Why overboard he went

Singing chip cho, cherry cho

Fol de riddl ido

Singing chip cho, cherry cho

Fol de riddle ido

A shark was on th larboard bow:

Sharks don’t on manners stand

But grapple all they come near

Just like your sharks on land

We heaved Ben out some tackling

Of saving him in hopes;

But the shark he bit his head off

So he couldn’t see the ropes

Singing chip cho, cherry cho

Fol de riddle ido

Singing chip cho, cherry cho

Fol de riddle ido

Without his head his ghost appeared

All on the briny lake:

He piped all hands aloft and said;

«Lads, by me warning take:

By drinking grog I lost my life

So lest my fate you meet

Why, never mix your liquors, lads

But always drink them neat.»