Lyrics Ben Backstay - Burl Ives

Ben Backstay

Ben Backstay was a boatswain
A very jolly boy
No lad than he more merrily
Could pipe all hands ahoy
And when unto his summons
We did not well attend
No lad than he more merrily
Could handle a rope’s end
Singing chip cho, cherry cho
Fol de riddle ido
Singing chip cho, cherry cho
Fol de riddle ido
It chanced one day our captain
A very jolly dog
Served out to all the company
A double share of grog
Ben Backstay he got tipsy
Unto his heart’s content
And being half-seas over
Why overboard he went
Singing chip cho, cherry cho
Fol de riddl ido
Singing chip cho, cherry cho
Fol de riddle ido
A shark was on th larboard bow:
Sharks don’t on manners stand
But grapple all they come near
Just like your sharks on land
We heaved Ben out some tackling
Of saving him in hopes;
But the shark he bit his head off
So he couldn’t see the ropes
Singing chip cho, cherry cho
Fol de riddle ido
Singing chip cho, cherry cho
Fol de riddle ido
Without his head his ghost appeared
All on the briny lake:
He piped all hands aloft and said;
«Lads, by me warning take:
By drinking grog I lost my life
So lest my fate you meet
Why, never mix your liquors, lads
But always drink them neat.»