I just got these lyrics a few weeks ago from Stephen Canwright, one of the regular singers at the shanty sings held at the Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco. Steve is a great singer and has the honor of having recorded with Louis Killen.


Firing the Mauritania
Source: Stephen Canwright


In nineteen hundred twenty four
Found myself in Liverpool on the floor
So I went to the Cunard office door
Got a job on the Mauritania

Chorus: Oh, firing the Mauritania
She surely is a slaver
To Hell with the Mauritania

The Mauritania'a a wonderful sight
Sixty-four fires a-burning bright
But you'll shovel coal from morning to night
A-firing the Mauritania

The coal was so hard and full of slate
And that's what got to the four-to-eight
It very soon wearied the four-to-eight
A-firing the Mauritania

The eight-to-twelve were much better men
But they were weary by half part ten
So tired and weary by half past ten
A-firing the Mauritania

The fan's on the bum and fire won't draw
And that's what got to the twelve-to-four
It very soon buggered the twelve-to-four
A-firing the Mauritania

So come all you firemen, listen to me
The Mauritania spells purgatory
Stick to the coast, don't go deep sea
A-firing the Mauritania


Steve's notes: I copied this from a tape by Bermuda Quadrangle titled "A Beautiful Life." They credit Stan Hugill's "The Bosun's Locker" column in The Folksong Magazine, Vol 1, # 9, 1962. He credited collection and arrangement by Redd Sullivan of the Thameside 4, who was apparently a fireman himself.

Regards,
Radriano
^^

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(song has been added to the DT -JRO)