A LONG TIME AGO (3)
(From the singing of Richard Maitland)
(Doerflinger - 'Songs of the Sailor and Lumberman' p39)

When I was young and in my prime,
[to me way-ay-ay yah,]
I thought I'd go and join the line,
[Oh a long time a-go.]

And as a sailor caught a shine
In a lot they called the Black Ball Line

Now come all you young fellers that's going to sea,
And just listen a while unto me.

I'll sing you a song and I won't keep you long.
It's all about the Black Ball Line

Just see the Black Ballers preparing for sea
You'd split your sides laughing the sights you would see

there's tinkers 'n' tailors, shoemakers 'n' all,
For they're all shipped as sailors on board a Black Ball.

Now, one more pull and we'll let her go
We'll h'ist her up through frost and snow

Just one more pull and we'll show her clew,
And another long pull and that will do.

additional verses:

Around Cape Horn you've got to go;
That's the way to Callao

In the Black Ball Line I served my time
I sailed in the Webb of the Black Ball Line.