Brazos How the Ranks Was Won lyrics

on the first day the ranks was filled with the men from o'borrow hill
on the second day the west wind wailed and the men threw up the sail
on the third day the chilly breeze was an iceberg in the sea
on the fourth day the setting sun was a sign that the day was done
how long till the ranks was won?

on the fifth day they danced their feet top the cabin where the major sleeps
on the sixth day they crossed the line sweetheart men child and wive
on the seventh day the ranks was calm but a calm don't last for long
how long till the ranks was won?

look out, look up child

and feel that wind upon your back
a little secret on your back
so now you know just why we left

long day when the ship was found a young child saw it run aground
long walk down an empty beach to a ladder that climbed and reached
long stretch of his cabin neck when he rose right on the deck
long look, and then it comes,
and that's how the ranks was won