Barge Ballad

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Once there was a barge lad Way up atop the mast Shouting to the skipper "We've made it home at last" Well, I was that barge lad Way up atop the mast Now I'm the skipper and that young nipper Had better be holding fast [Chorus] Oh we're loaded down, with bales so high You've got to lean backwards If you want to see the sky Oh, the Thames may forgive us But the Alde never will So eyes front and away we sail [Verse 2] Oh, you've got to be able Way up atop the mast Your legs better be nimble And your head better think fast Well, I was that able Way up atop the mast Now I'm the skipper and that young nipper Is hearty enough to last [Chorus] Oh we're loaded down, with bales so high You've got to lean backwards If you want to see the sky Oh, the Thames may forgive us But the Alde never will So eyes front, keep your head, and away we sail [Verse 3] Oh, you've eyes like an eagle Way up atop the mast Spotting all the obstacles That come across your path Well, I was that eagle Way up atop the mast But now I'm the skipper and that young nipper Will keep us from taking a bath [Chorus] Oh we're loaded down, with bales so high You've got to lean backwards If you want to see the sky Oh, the Thames may forgive us But the Alde never will So eyes front, keep your head, clear your throat, and away we sail [Verse 4] Oh, you've got to remember Way up atop the mast Knowing all the river routes That you never learn from the charts Well, I do remember Way up atop the mast But now I'm the skipper and that young nipper Is taking the rivers to heart [Chorus] Oh we're loaded down, with bales so high You've got to lean backwards If you want to see the sky Oh, the Thames may forgive us But the Alde never will So eyes front, keep your head, clear your throat, know your way, fill your pipe, grab on tight, look for the lights and away we sail