Blow Ye Pressing Winds

At age 15 the Press Gang came and took me from my door
They dragged me to a navy ship they'd anchored off the shore
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow
They told me I had duties for my country and my queen
And I would see such wonders that my eyes had never seen
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow
I quickly learnt the sailor's life was not the life for me
Swabbing decks and hauling rope and rolling on the sea
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow
I couldn't find my sea legs as the waves threw me around
I'd never learnt to swim and twenty times I nearly drowned
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow
The beds were harder than the crew upon the rotten tub
The stinking guano on the deck smelt better than the grub
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow
And as for all the girls that I was promised in the port
They were plumper, and much hairier than I'd have ever thought
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow
We a fleet of Spaniards off the coast of old Ferrol
They trained their cannons on us and they filled us up with holes
And now I float with flotsam 30 miles away from shore
Wish I'd never bleddy answered when the Press Gang came to call
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow
Singing Blow Ye Winds in the morning, blow ye winds hi-yo
Clear away the running gear and blow blow blow