Indian Ocean Whaling Song

DESCRIPTION: Details of "a devilish high old spree" on a whaling trip. Unpleasant work, starvation, storms, stops at ports to lose your money, but ends with success after all.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1870 (source: Frank-JollySailorsBold)
LONG DESCRIPTION: "A devilish high old spree" on a whaling trip: "always to work, and never to play." They lived "three years on stinking beef." No whales, but storms and calms. Desperate for food, the crew fished but the captain "kept all the best"; "we lived on nothing." They stopped at Fremantle "where in a minute you will spend a pound" on cards and "rum that will kill you." Finally, they got whales near Turtle Island; then it was turtle fried, boiled, baked and spoiled. Soon we will head home with money to spend. Some of the crew are named; the singer thinks they will remember him "for a spell"
KEYWORDS: home travel work fishing drink food gambling hardtimes ordeal starvation storm tasks Australia moniker whale boss sailor whaler
FOUND IN: US(NE)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Frank-JollySailorsBold 156, "Indian Ocean Whaling Song" (1 text)
Roud #31392
File: FJSB156

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