Hello, Paola...

I sing this song with the "Pyrates Royale", and I learned it from a recording, which I think was by Louis Killen, although it certainly could have been by Cyril Tawney. I can't seem to find my recrding of it just at the moment, but the words I sing go like this:

RATCLIFFE HIGHWAY

As Jack walked one morning, Point Beach up and down,
He spied pretty Polly of merry Portsmouth Town.
As soon as Jack seen her most beautiful face
He highs his three tops'ls and to her give chase.

chorus:

T'me riggin gray!
Come rattle my riggin on down!
Come rattle my riggin down Ratcliffe Highway!

Jack hailed her in Dutch and the signal she knew
She backed her main tops'l and for him heaved-to.
And Jack lowered his jolly boat, and pulled along side,
He found madam's gangway was open, and wide!

chorus

Jack entered her cabin, and swore "Damn her eyes!"
What was she but a fireship rigged out in disguise!
Set fire to Jack's rigging, likewise to his hull,
Now away to the hospital Jack has to skull.

chorus

Set fire to Jack's rigging, likewise to his hull;
Now away to the hospital Jack has to skull,
With his helm hard a-starboard, as he sailed along;
His ship-mates cried after him "Your yardarm is sprung!"

chorus

Now, Jack he's reached home to Portsmouth at last.
He lies on the lower deck among the low-class.
He lies on his back, and he cries out "O, Lord!"
"Wasn't that a stiff breeze when I sprung me main yard?"

chorus

Line Breaks
added.
-Joe Offer-