I lied, I've got the lyrics now:

Old Red Duster
(John Archbold)

I remember the day that I climbed the gangway,
My new coat and jacket, so clean--
No bacon and eggs till I got my sea legs--
My first trip, Oh Lord, I was green!

CHORUS: Oh the old red duster,
On a tramp or a liner,
There'll be no pusser navy for me.
You can keep your salutes
And your spit-polished boots.
It's the old red duster for me.

On many's the ship, I've made many's the trip
'Cross oceans and seas, far and wide--
In ports, near and far, been thrown from the bar.
There's many the young girl beguiled.

I sailed in the war like my uncle before,
From Britain, right down to Bombay.
With my little convoy bag, I sailed for the flag,
The glory, the medals, and the pay.

I was pulled from the pool, I was nobody's fool.
T'was a jaunt up to Murmansk for me.
But the union said, "No, as a Fourth you can't go."
It's the union forever for me.

The dirty old tramp's got a foc'sl that damp,
And her plates are half sprung and they leak.
The food's always bad, and the master's gone mad,
And the bastards, the owners, are cheap.

I've sweated and slaved at this engine I've raged,
Nursing this cripple along.
For her joints, they're a-creaking, and her glands they are a-leaking.
At six knots, she's racing along.

I've been in the hold in the heat and the cold
All day and all night as well,
And when my time's near, I'll go without fear,
For I've been where it's hotter than hell.

So now you all know why the good sailors go,
Merchant seamen to be.
If you want any more, like what come before,
You can bloody well sing it to me.