Lyrics:
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Hardtacker's version:
As a topman and an afterguard
Were walking one day,
Says the topman to the afterguard, I mean for to pray,
For the rights of all sailors and the wrongs of all men,
And whatever I do pray for,
You must answer Amen.
Well the first thing that I will pray for,
I will pray for our queen
And all of her family where e're they be seen
And if she has one son may she also have ten,
May she have a bloody regiment,
Says the afterguard, Amen.
And the next thing I will pray for
I will pray for some beer.
O glory, hallaleulah, just to give us some cheer
And if we have one pint, may we also have ten,
May we have a bloody brewery,
Says the afterguard, Amen.
And the next thing I will pray for
I will pray for some cash.
O glory, hallaleulah, won't we go on a dash?
And if we have one pound, may we also have ten,
May we have the Bank of Eng-a-land,
Says the afterguard, Amen.
And the last thing I will pray for,
I will pray for some peace,
From China to Chile, from India to Greece
And if we have one year may we also have ten.
May there never be another war,
Says the afterguard, Amen.
Traditional version:
As a topman and an afterguard were walking one day,
Says the topman to the afterguard, I mean for to pray,
For the rights of all sailors and the wrongs of all men,
And whatever I do pray for,
You must answer Amen.
First I'll pray for the bosun with his little stick,
For he bawls out, All hands boys and gives us a lick,
He strikes many a brave fellow and sends him a-main,
May the devil triple damn him,
Says the afterguard, Amen.
I'll pray for the purser who gives us to eat,
Spew-burgoo, rank butter and musty horse meat,
With the weevily biscuits while he gets the gain,
May the devil triple damn him,
Says the afterguard, Amen.
I'll pray for them navy officers, they are holding up our due,
We're owed three year’s wages and prize money too,
It's: You can't have it yet Jack, try next voyage again,
May the devil triple damn him,
Says the afterguard, Amen.
And the last thing I shall pray for is a pot of good beer,
For the Lord gave me the liquor, our spirits to cheer,
And when we have one pot, may we also have ten,
And we’ll never never want for grog my boys,
Says the afterguard, Amen.
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