I'm interested in finding out information about the phrase "with his trousers on" with respect to sea songs or shanties. I came across a song in the Oxford Book of Sea Songs with that phrase in it. The song is "Jackie Tar" and the melody is a version of the hornpipe Jackie Tar (also known as The Cuckoo's Nest). There's the recurring theme in this song of a sailor returning from sea "with his trousers on."

It's pretty clear from the text that the phrase refers to returning from sea (or from the wars) intact but I can't think of any other sea song that uses this terminology.
I don't believe the song is in Digitrad so I'll post the lyrics and melody.


Jackie Tar

The Oxford Book of Sea Songs, Roy Palmer, editor


When Jack had pulled the oar and the boat was gone
And the lassie on the shore with her head hanging down
The tears stood in her eyes and her bosom heaving sighs
Farewell, my dear, she cries, with your trousers on
Farewell, said he, I go to sea, and you must stay behind
But do not grieve, for while I live I ever will be kind
And when I come to land you will meet me on the strand
And welcome Jackie Tar with his trousers on

Now peace is proclaimed and the wars are all o'er
The fleets they are moored and the sailors come ashore
Now you may see her stand with a glass into her hand
To welcome Jack to land with his trousers on
While up on high, she catched his eye with all her lovely charms
Her face he knew and straight he flew and caught her in his arms
Her hand he kindly pressed as he held her round the waist
And he kissed the bonny lassie with his trousers on

O Jack, where have you been since you went from me
And what have you seen upon the raging sea
I mourned for your sake while my heart was like to break
For I thought I'd never see my Jack with his trousers on
And while you stayed I sighed and prayed to Neptune and to Mars
That they would prove kind and send you home safe from the wars
And now to my request they have been pleased to list
And sent you to my breast with your trousers on

I have sailed the seas for you to the Torrid Zone
From the confines of Peru to Van Diemen's Land
From the Bay of Baltimore to the coast of Labrador
But now I'm safe on shore with my trousers on
I have beat the storms in many forms upon the raging main
I have fought the foes with deadly blows and many a hero slain
I have heard the cannons road, I have rolled in blood and gore
But now I'm safe on shore with my trousers on

I have been aloft when the winds have blown
And I have been aloft when the bombs were thrown
But like a sailor bold I have now come from the hold
With my pockets full of gold and my trousers on
And now no more from shore to shore I'll plough the raging seas
But free from strife as man and wife we'll live in peace and ease
To the church this couple hied and the priest the knot has tied
And the sailor kissed his bride with his trousers on

ABC Notation:

X:1
T:Jackie Tar
M:4/4
L:1/8
R:Hornpipe
K:D
(B,C)|DCDB, d2cB|(AF) (DF) G2","GE|
DDCB, (A,>B,) CE|A2EE E2","FE|
DCDB, d2cB|AFDF G2","(FE)|
DDCB, (^A,B,) CE|D2B,2 B,2","F2||
BBBB BcdB|AAFF F3","^G|
A^GAB ceBc|AAEE E2","(FG)|
BABc d2cB|AFDF G2","(FE)|
DDCB, (^A,B,) CE|D2B,2B,2||


Regards to all,
Radriano