Strike the Bell

Lyrics

(Sea shanty)

Out on the quarter deck a-walking about
There’s the second mate so steady and so stout.
What he is a-thinking of he doesn’t know himself
We wish that he would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

Refrain
Strike the bell, second mate, let us go below,
Look out to wind’ard you can see it’s gonna blow.
Look at the glass, you can see that it has fell,
We wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

Down on the main deck, and workin’ on the pumps,
There is the starboard watch ready for their bunks;
Over to wind’ard they see a great swell,
We wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell. Refrain

For’ard on the foc’s’le head and keepin’ sharp lookout,
There is Johnny waiting, ready fer to shout,
“Lights’ burnin’ bright, sir, and everything is well!”
But he’s wishin’ that old second mate would strike, strike the bell. Refrain

Aft on the quarter deck our gallant captain stands,
Lookin’ to wind’ard with the glasses in his hand.
What he is thinkin’ of we know very well,
He’s thinkin’ more of shortenin’ sail than strike, strike the bell. Refrain

See also

YouTube

  • PDF of song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the melody

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