RING ON THE HOMEWARD BOUNDERS
By Duncan McNab 2004

Well its six months to the day, since first I sailed away
And I bid my love a tearful fond goodbye
On that wind and rain swept quay, she was smiling up at me
But I could see the tears a-welling in her eye
Now I’m a Jolly Jack, and there’s no point in looking back
For a sailor’s life is upon the surging foam
But I’m a sentimental man and I miss my Maggie Anne
And I wish this ship would turn and head for home

Chorus:
So ring on the homeward bounders - ring them on
Ring on the homeward bounders - ring them on
Turn the wheel around - let this ship be homeward bound
Ring on the homeward bounders - ring them on

It was a wild and a wintry day, as we crossed the Biscay Bay
The Atlantic swell was running long and high
And the waves crashed o’er the bow, as through that swell we’d plough
And the rain lashed down from a black and leadened sky
Then Gibraltar and its rock, that was where the ship did dock
And we had ourselves a mighty run ashore
But my thoughts would always roam, to the girl I’d left at home
And to the time when I could hold her close once more

Chorus:

The weather it was fine, as we sailed across the line
And Neptune kept the gophers far at bay
And we sang and we drank our beer, in the southern hemisphere
Before we got our ship back under way
Then the storms we did escape, as we sailed around the Cape
And we set a course for good old Singapore
But a night down Boogie Street, it never can compete
With an evening with the girl that I adore

Chorus:

We drank rum and beer amid all those bars in Honky-Phid
Before we set off eastwards once again
And we crossed a typhoon's path, and how we felt it's wrath
As we rode the storm out on the raging main
Then we gave a loud ‘Hurrah’ as we passed through Panama
For now we know that it will not be long
Till the order it rings out, and we hear the skipper shout
Ring on the homeward bounders - ring them on

Chorus:

Notes:
Title: ‘Ring on the homeward bounders’ was a Royal Naval term for the order to steer for home. The ‘ring’ refers to the sound of the engine telegraphs.

Verse 2
Run ashore – Naval term for a night out on the town

Verse 3 refers to the celebrations often held (where time permitted) when crossing the equator.

Gophers – the naval term for big waves

Boogie Street – a favourite place for sailors to have a wild ‘run ashore’.

Verse 4
Honky-Phid – Naval term for Hongkong

Whilst it was always exciting to visit new places around the world, for most sailors who had been at sea for a prolonged tour of duty, returning home to be reunited with loved ones was never far from their minds.

You can hear the song on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsepnLIqtV8
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFffBiq0vCA