Well, this is one of my favorites among the "rediscovered" songs, a maritime rat empowerment song: THE RODENT MARINERS (By Hamish MacLaren, Sailor with Banjo, © 1930 Adapted by Charlie Ipcar Tune adapted from: Blow the Candle Out) We are the rodent ma-ri-ne-ers, As nobody needs be told, For there's no mis-taking our nau-ti-cal airs, Our rolling eyes so bold; There's never a ship leaves English ground, From Liverpool Docks to Plymouth Sound, For Frisco Bay or Bombay bound, But we have free run of her hold! We march aboard in companies, All in the dead of night, Over the hawsers from the quays In the shadow of the watch lamplight; Each roving rat his ship will choose, From nose to nose we pass the news Of cargoes, destination, crews, And none can us affright. REFRAIN Each roving rat his ship will choose, From nose to nose we pass the news Of cargoes, destination, crews, And none can us affright. We'll eat like kings once we set sail, Each vessel leaving land, A wandering larder which entails A feast on every hand; Maize, apples, salmon, barley, rice, Nutmegs, olives, South Sea spice, Meats and India merchandise, And all at our command! We know the ports of all the world All warehouses, all quays, All islets coral-ringed and pearled, The Blue Hesperides; And men may search until they die, And men may blow great fleets sky-high – But rats alone can hold for aye The Freedom of the Seas! REFRAIN And men may search until they die, And men may blow great fleets sky-high – But rats alone can hold for aye The Freedom of the Seas! Arrgghh!
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