Bounding Main Strike The Bell lyrics

Up on the poop deck and walking about,
There is the second mate so steady and so stout.
What he is a-thinkin' of he doesn't know too well,
We wish that he would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

Chorus:
Strike the bell second mate, let us go below;
Look ye well to windward you can see its going to blow.
Look at the glass you can see that it has fell,
We wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

Down on the main deck and workin' at the pumps,
There is the larboard watch just longing for their bunks;
Look out to windward, you can see a great swell,
We wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell.

Chorus

Forward at the forecastle head and keepin' sharp lookout,
There is Johnny standin', a longin' fer to shout,
"Lights are burnin' bright sir and everything is well."

He's wishing that the second mate would, strike the bell.

Chorus

Aft at the wheelhouse old Anderson stands,
Graspin' at the helm with his frostbitten hands,
Lookin' at the compass though the course is clear as hell;
He's wishin' that the second mate would, strike the bell.

Chorus

Aft on the quarter deck our gallant captain stands,
Lookin' out to windward with a spyglass in his hand.
What he is a-thinkin' of we know very well.
He's thinking more of shortenin' sail than striking the bell.

Chorus