Skagway’s Painted Lady

(Verse 1)
The anchor’s dropped in Skagway Bay, we’ve gold within our pockets,
With eyes as red as sunset skies and joints loose in their sockets!
We’ve traded spice for scurvy lice and lived on maggot bread,
But now we’re off to Madame Maude’s to wake the very dead!
(Chorus)
So heave away, you filthy lot, the ‘Painted Lady’ calls,
With velvet rugs and gin in jugs and pictures on the walls!
We’ll dance a jig with any lass who’ll dare to breathe our air,
And leave a trail of britches on the parlor stair!
(Verse 2)
Old Barnaby’s got wooden legs, a pair of ‘em, it’s true,
He’s clicking down the hallway like a frantic kangaroo!
The Cook is wearing lavender to hide the smell of fish,
He’s looking for a lady who’s a spicy little dish!
(Chorus)
So heave away, you filthy lot, the ‘Painted Lady’ calls,
With velvet rugs and gin in jugs and pictures on the walls!
We’ll dance a jig with any lass who’ll dare to breathe our air,
And leave a trail of britches on the parlor stair!
(Verse 3)
The First Mate’s lost his trousers to a girl named Ragged Nell,
The Captain’s in the bathtub ringing like a buoy bell!
The parrot’s learned some brand new words he shouldn’t ought to know,
As we swap the high and stormy seas for the valley down below!
(Verse 4)
But when the morning sun rolls ‘round and all the rum is gone,
We’ll stumble to the pier-head with a collective, mighty yawn.
With empty chests and itchy vests, we’ll head back to the blue,
Until we find another port and start the mess anew!
(Chorus)
So heave away, you filthy lot, the ‘Painted Lady’ calls,
With velvet rugs and gin in jugs and pictures on the walls!
We’ll dance a jig with any lass who’ll dare to breathe our air,
And leave a trail of britches on the parlor stair!

gravelly pirate shanty, heavy pirate slang, rhythmic rowing beat. Boisterous and chaotic. Accordion, hurdy gurdy