Original poem
by Cicely Fox Smith

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MP3 Sample

Outward Bound

Poem by C. Fox Smith, FULL SAIL, pp. 69-71 © 1926
Adapted and musically arranged by Charlie Ipcar © 2004
Tune after traditional "Blow the Candles Out"

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outward_bound.jpg - 44912 Bytes Now we've painted the Ratcliff Highway red
To the tune of twelvemonth's pay –
We've cruised a-round from the Ship Aground
To the shores of Tiger Bay;
We've stood our pals and we've kissed the gals
For a fortnight and a day,
Now we're outward bound from Sailor-town,
And it's time we're on our way!

For there's something wrong with the dance and song,
And there ain't no bite in beer –
So let's set sail for New South Wales,
Any port, long's it's not here;
Baltic way, down the Bay,
Up the China Seas;
Pensacola, Palembang,
Anywhere you please.

You can get your sea-chest out of pawn,
Or leave it where it lies –
You can pay your shot, or maybe not,
You can kiss your gal good-bye;
With a "Now, me Dear, be of good cheer,
We'll see you next pay day,"
For we're outward bound from Sailortown,
And it's time we're on our way!

So we'll warp her out with a song or shout,
And give the tug a cheer –
Then it's off we go to Callao,
Any port, long's it's not here;
Baltic way, down the Bay,
Up the China Seas;
Pensacola, Palembang,
Anywhere you please.

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OUTWARD BOUND

Original poem by C. Fox Smith, FULL SAIL, pp. 69-71 © 1926

We've painted the Ratcliff Highway red
To the tune of twelvemonth's pay –
We've cruised around from the "Ship Aground"
To the shores of Tiger Bay;
We've stood our pals and we've kissed the gals
For a fortnight and a day…

For there's something gone wrong with the dance and song,
And there ain't no bite in the beer –
So, I'll sail to Vallipo, and you'll sail to Maine,
Coromandel, Callao, Perim, Port o' Spain,
Baltic way, down the Bay, up the China Seas.
Pernambuco, Providence, anywhere you please,
Don't matter where if it's far enough from here!

You can get your sea-chest out o' pawn,
Or leave it where it lies –
You can pay your shot, or maybe not,
You can leave your gal likewise;
With a "Now, me Dear, be of good cheer,
And wipe them blooming eyes"…

For we'll warp her out with a song and a shout,
And we'll give the tug a cheer –
And I'll sail to 'Frisco, and you to Callao,
Honolulu, Trinidad, Montevideo,
Baltic way, down the Bay, up the China Seas,
Pensacola, Palembang, anywhere you please
Don't matter where if it's far enough from here!

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