Lyrics Paddy and the Whale - Burl Ives

Paddy and the Whale

Well, Paddy Maloney left Ireland in glee
He had a strange notion to sail the Ross Sea
He shipped in a whalecatcher South Georgia bound
And the way that she pitched made his head go around
Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all
Well, Paddy had never been whalin' before
It made his heart leap when he heard the loud roar
As the lookout he cried that a whale had been spied
«Begod,» says poor Pat, «I'll be ate by and by.»
Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all
Now, Paddy run for’ard and reached for the mast
He caught it a gripper and there he held fast
The boat give a tip and poor Paddy lost his grip
And in the whale’s belly the silly fool slipped
Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all
He was in the whale’s belly six months and a day
Till one morning' by luck to its throat he made way
The whale give a hoosh, boys, and then she did blow
And a mile in the air went old Paddy Maloney
Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all
Well, Paddy got spat out quite safe on the shore
He swears he’ll not go to sea any more
And the next time he follows a venturesome notion
It’ll be when the railway runs over the ocean
Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all