Barge Ballad - The Longest Johns

Once there was a barge lad

Way up atop the mast

Shouting to the skipper

«We've made it home at last»

Well, I was that barge lad

Way up atop the mast

Now I’m the skipper and that young nipper

Had better be holding fast

Oh we’re loaded down, with bales so high

You’ve got lean backwards

If you want to see the sky

Oh, the Thames may forgive us

But the Alde never will

So eyes front and away we sail

Oh, you’ve got to be able

Way up atop the mast

Your legs better be nimble

And your head better think fast

Well, I was that able

Way up atop the mast

Now I’m the skipper and that young nipper

Is hearty enough to last

Oh we’re loaded down, with bales so high

You’ve got lean backwards

If you want to see the sky

Oh, the Thames may forgive us

But the Alde never will

So eyes front, keep your head, and away we sail

Oh, you’ve eyes like an eagle

Way up atop the mast

Spotting all the obstacles

That come across your path

Well, I was that eagle

Way up atop the mast

But now I’m the skipper and that young nipper

Will keep us from taking a bath

Oh we’re loaded down, with bales so high

You’ve got lean backwards

If you want to see the sky

Oh, the Thames may forgive us

But the Alde never will

So eyes front, keep your head, clear your throat, and away we sail

Oh, you’ve got to remember

Way up atop the mast

Knowing all the river routes

That you never learn from the charts

Well, I do remember

Way up atop the mast

But now I’m the skipper and that young nipper

Is taking the rivers to heart

Oh we’re loaded down, with bales so high

You’ve got lean backwards

If you want to see the sky

Oh, the Thames may forgive us

But the Alde never will

So eyes front, keep your head, clear your throat, know your way, fill your pipe,

grab on tight, look for the lights and away we sail