In response to Ian Hendrie.

I am a complete technophobe, and don't know how to send you the tune electronically. However, if there is some address I can send to using snail mail, and if you possess such a thing as a cassette-player, I can do you a cassette with me singing the song. Whilst I am no great shakes vocally, you will at least have some idea of the tune as I recall it. The way I sing it is slightly different from the version I've given above.

I would be flatterd to see it on 'Songs of the Inland Waterways' and of course you have my permission. Excuse my mis-spelling of 'paraffin'.

Whilst on the subject, I've discovered another verse among my collected scribblings, plus an alternative final verse which has minor alterations. 'Ere 'tis:

He sailed us around in circles, like a useless drunken fart,
'Till we ran aground on an old dead horse, not marked up on the chart,
On the Manchester Ship Canal.

Now the quality of the Mersey, it isn't strained one bit,
For it's full of rats, dead dogs and cats, and multitudes of -
Muddy water everwhere, and rum you'll never see,
And I scarcely think I'll get another drink.
'Till we get to Wallasey.
END.