Lyrics Sailor's Alphabet - Fairport Convention

Sailor's Alphabet

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
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
E’s for the ensign that at our mast flew
F’s for the forecastle where lives our crew
G’s for the galley where the salt junk smells strong
And H for the halyards we hoist with a song
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
I’s for the eyebolts, no good for the feet
J’s for the jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet
K’s for the knighthead where our petty officer stands
L’s for the leeside, hard found by new hands
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
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 boats
And P’s for the pinnace which lively do float
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
Q’s for the quarterdeck where our officer stands
R’s for the rudder that keeps the ship in command
S is for the stunsells that drive her along
And T’s for the topsail, to get there takes long
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
U’s for the uniform, mostly worn aft
V’s for the vangs running from the main gaff
W’s for water, we’re on a pint and a pound
And X marks the spot where old Stormies had drowned
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
Y’s for the yardarm, needs a good sailor man
Z is for Zoe, and I’m her fancy man
Z’s also for zero in the cold winter time
And now we have brought all the letters in rhyme
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