M.V. Hardship [Yarpie]                Tune:- Thrashing Machine

As I was a'walking down by K.G.V.,
A rusty old bucket there I espied
The Rustenburg Castle, that was her name,
She was bound out to "Yarpie" and back home again.
Chorus:-
        Pound away! Pound away!
        From Hull down to Yarpie is a hell of a way.

Sailed down the channel on a cold frosty day.
We rounded old Ushant, then south 'cross the bay.
We know she's a "fruit" boat, and to prove that it's true
The Chief Steward's one and the cook he is too;
Chorus

The Mate is a bastard, the Second's a drunk
The Third he plays with himself in his bunk;
And as for the Old Man, well, no-one can say;
For no bugger's seen him since we sailed away.
Chorus

There's little for breakfast, and half that for tea,
And that Chief Steward keeps winking at me.
He and the cook are a bloody disgrace;
Just see the look on the galley-boy's face!
Chorus

When we got to Durban we all went ashore,
Down into "Matelot's" to get us a whore;
But when we got there, the picking's were poor,
'Cause the Safmarine cowboys had got there before.
Chorus

Now the holds are all loaded, the hatch boards are down,
And we're sailing away, out from Durban town.
Next trip we'll sign on with Bank Line or Ben,
But the old "Rusty Bucket" won't see me again.
Chorus

Now the voyage is over in East India Dock;
To "Charlie Brown's" with our pay-off we flock.
Soon we'll sail out, with Ropners or Glen,
But the M.V. Hardship won't see me again.
Chorus


Notes (RJC) - "Yarpie" is South Africa. Some variations, but not a lot different from the "Kiwi" version.

Ross