A Sailor ain't a Sailor

Subject: A Sailor ain't a Sailor
From: MBSLynne
Date: 05 Oct 19 - 02:39 AM

Years ago, I used to sing the above song, which I got from Jim Mageehan and Johnnie Collins. When I learnt the words, I heard it as "The cook of our mess, he says we've had it soft..." which seemed totally fine to me. Now I hear people singing "The killock of our mess". I looked up killock and found that it is a small stone anchor enclosed in wood. This seems much less logical, although still nautical. So....is it cook, or is it killock? Who actually wrote the song?

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: A Sailor ain't a Sailor
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Oct 19 - 02:50 AM

Try http://www.tomlewis.net/lyrics/last_shanty.htm

what you give as "killock" is "killick" there. Chambers Dictionary gives the same definition as yours but also:

"In the Royal Navy, a leading seaman (from his badge, bearing the symbol of an anchor)"

Subject: RE: A Sailor ain't a Sailor
From: MBSLynne
Date: 05 Oct 19 - 02:51 AM

Ah, thank you. Did Tom Lewis actually write this?

Subject: RE: A Sailor ain't a Sailor
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Oct 19 - 02:57 AM

It says on the link "Words and music by Tom Lewis" so I guess so! :-)

Tom's a great bloke and very approachable so if you get in touch with him about it, or anything else, I'm sure he will be happy to let you know anything you want to know.

Subject: RE: A Sailor ain't a Sailor
From: BobL
Date: 05 Oct 19 - 02:59 AM

Yes, or so he says on the linked page.

Subject: RE: A Sailor ain't a Sailor
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 05 Oct 19 - 03:03 AM

Folklore: What is a killick?

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAST SHANTY (Tom Lewis)

The lyrics in DT are different.

Subject: RE: A Sailor ain't a Sailor
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Oct 19 - 04:57 AM

Thanks guys.

Subject: RE: A Sailor ain't a Sailor
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 05 Oct 19 - 05:54 PM

Your post brought back memories Lynne, I too remember singing it at the Loft in one of your MFF sessions. Missing you (and Moira)!