Motley Words

Oh the Southern Ocean is a lonely place
Where the storms are many and the shelter’s scarce
Down upon the Southern Ocean sailing,
Down below Cape Horn
On the restless water and the sullen skies
You can see old mollymauk wheel and fly
Down upon the Southern Ocean sailing,
Down below Cape Horn

Won’t you ride the wind and go, white seabird
Ride the wind and go, mollymauk
Down upon the Southern Ocean sailing
Down below Cape Horn

See the mollymauk floatin’ on his wide white wings
And lord, what a lonely song he sings
And he’s got no compass and he’s got no gear
And there’s none can tell you how the mollymauk steer

He’s the ghost of a sailor-man as I’ve heard say
Who’s body sank, and his soul flew away
And he’s got no haven and he’s got no home
He’s bound evermore for to wheel and roam

When I gets too weary for to sail no more
Let my bones sink better far away from shore
You can cast me loose set me driftin’ free
And I’ll keep that big bird company.

Chorus: X 2