This Was the Happiest Period in His Life...

Lyrics

(This was the happiest period in his life. All locked set fair for a career until he was stricken with sickness and invalided out of his chosen niche in life. Reluctantly and unhappily he turned to a number of menial occupations and finally returned to the services of Miss Keyse) [I. St Ninian's Isle / Trumpet Hornpipe 0:00 - 1:14] [Instrumental] [II. The Sailor's Alphabet 1:14 - 7:07] [Verse 1] A's for the anchor that lies at our bow B's for the bowsprit and the jibs all lie low C's for the capstan we all run around D's for the davits to lower the boat down [Chorus] Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we No mortal on Earth like a sailor at sea Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong [Verse 2] E's for the ensign that at our peak flew F's for the focsle where lives our wild crew G's for the galley where the salt junk smells strong And H is the halliards we hoist with a song [Chorus] And merrily, merrily, so merry sail we No mortal on Earth like a sailor at sea Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong [Verse 3] I's for the eyebolt, no good for the feet J's for the jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet K's for the knightheads where the petty officer stands L's for the leeside, hard found by new hands [Chorus] Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we No mortal on Earth like a sailor at sea Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong [Verse 4] M's for the mainmast, it's stout and it's strong N's for the needle that never points wrong O's for the oars of our old jolly boat And P's for the pinnace that lively do float [Chorus] Oh merrily, merrily, so merry sail we No mortal on Earth like a sailor at sea Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong [Verse 5] Q's for the quarterdeck where our officers stand And R's for the rudder that keeps the ship in command S is for the stunsells that drive her along T's for the topsail, to get there takes long [Chorus] Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we No mortal on Earth like a sailor at sea Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong [Verse 6] U's for the uniform mostly worn aft V's for the vangs running from the main gaff And W's for water, we're on a pint and a pound And X marks the spot where old Stormy was drowned [Chorus] Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we No mortal on Earth like a sailor at sea Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong [Verse 7] Y's for yardarm, needs a good sailorman Z is for Zoe, I'm her fancy man Z's also for zero in the cold wintertime And now we have brought all the letters in rhyme [Chorus] Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we No mortal on Earth like a sailor at sea Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along Give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong [Instrumental Break] [Violin Solo] [III. John Lee 7:07 - 10:10] [Verse 8] John Lee, your headache's growing, the cold wind's blowing But the sea's without a ripple John Lee, your forehead's damp, your muscles cramp And the sea can't use a cripple [Refrain] John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee [Verse 9] John Lee's been made a freeman, his heart's a seaman But his flesh won't make a sailor Working in a big hotel, awaiting for the bell That's ringing for his labour [Refrain] John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee [Verse 10] John Lee, your chances are good, you better touch wood We think things must get better John Lee, you've a friend so true, she wants to help you Miss Keyse has sent a letter [Refrain] John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee [Verse 11] "Dear John, come and work at the Glen Just write me when and I'll send someone to meet you" John's gone to where he started from He's not worked long, just beginning to belong "It hasn't been a very good day The missus wants to halve my pay Close the door and douse the light It's quiet at night when she's tucked in tight Sometimes I feel, when they're all in bed It's almost like the whole world's dead So I lay me down to sleep, I pray thee Lord my soul to keep" [Refrain] John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee John Lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, John Lee