I'm a Female Deckhand

I’m chipping rust and painting on the side,

I wash her down and take a bit of pride.

I sweep the holds where iron ore runs deep,

I work the deck on every watch I keep.

I key the clamps and free the hatch covers,

I dog them down and seal them tight like others.

I handle lines when tying up the ship,

Cast off clean with every line I grip.

(Chorus)

On every watch we sail from port to port,

You’ll see us there, no hand is ever short.

Men and women working side by side,

We all sail the lakes with the rolling tides.

I take soundings in the ballast tanks below,

Port and starboard sides, I check and go.

I read the marks to see just where we’re at,

Keep her trimmed and sitting nice and flat.

I take the wheel and keep her running straight,

I give the wheelman time to take his break.

Through fog on Superior we run,

I hold her steady till my shift is done.

(Chorus)

On every watch we sail from port to port,

You’ll see us there, no hand is ever short.

Men and women working side by side,

We all sail the lakes with the rolling tides.

We’re deckhands, mates, and sailing just the same,

From cooks to oilers, every job we claim.

From galley work to engines down below,

Girls hold these jobs like any man we know.

(Bridge)

From deck to galley, engine room below,

There’s women working jobs you might not know.

From cooks and mates to wheeling the ship there,

On Great Lakes ships, you’ll find girls everywhere.

(Chorus)

On every watch we sail from port to port,

You’ll see us there, no hand is ever short.

Men and women working side by side,

We all sail the lakes with the rolling tides.

On every watch we sail from port to port,

You’ll see us there, no hand is ever short.

Men and women working side by side,

We all sail the lakes with the rolling tides.

Men and women working side by side,

We all sail the lakes with the rolling tides.