The Captain's Lady
Words & Music by Tom Lewis
(Recorded by Tom Lewis on Sea-Dog, See Dog!)
If the Captain's lady only knew the
dreadful way he serves his crew,
She'd never stoop to bear his name, for the way he treats us
is a shame,
His wife lives like a courtesan, she thinks he's such a gentle
man,
On board he'd 'blow you down' or worse for the simple crime; a
sailor's curse.
The man of the sea's not the man that you see when you see
him away from the sea,
The seaman's not the man that you see on the land, nor the
landsman ever seen on the sea.
If the First Mate's lady only knew the things her husband
puts us through,
She'd never stoop to bear his name, for the way he beats us is
a shame,
To seven kids upon dry-land he'd never even raise his hand,
Once upon the ship he sails, the lash across our backs he
flails.
If the Bo'sun's lady only knew the things her husband makes
us do,
She'd never stoop to bear his name, for the way he works us is
a shame,
With the sleep of his family dear, he'd never think to
interfere,
But he's quick to call: "All Hands On Deck!"; uncaring of the
dreams he'll wreck.
If our cook's lady only knew the things her husband makes us
chew,
She'd never stoop to bear his name, for the way he feeds us is
a shame,
At home he bakes such nice meat pies, a treat for any sailor's
eyes,
From the galley he serves-up something nasty, dares to call it
Cornish Pasty.
If the sailor's lady only knew the things her husband gets up
to,
She'd never stoop to bear his name, 'cos the way he cheats her
is a shame,
When he's back from sea and by her side he's faithful to his
loving bride,
Once he gets away from home his eyes will very quickly roam.
