Ok - here are the lyrics as I hear them, but I would feel happier if someone could check them with Graham himself before quoting them.

Well its nearly six months to the day lads,
When the anchor was straight up and down.
And we waved our farewells at the quayside,
As we sailed out from Southampton Town.
Now I can't say that it's been a good trip this time,
The old man has given us Hell.
Watchkeepers slaved while the day workers skived.
I think next time I'll sign
W ith the P & O Line.

Chorus:
But now we're on the downhill run,
Southampton, here we come.
Twenty four hours and then,
There'll be tears, there'll be kisses,
For the kids and the Missus,
I'm getting the channels again.

Now the life in the engine department,
Is much tougher than most people think.
At the end of your watch you are shattered,
You just crash out when you've had a drink.
Now if I had a nice cushy number,
Same as the Lekky, or even the mate.
Or the purser .. now pursers, well, they're all the same,
They've got cash on the brain,
Sell their grannies for gain.

In the morning we'll be at the Island,
And the junior watch we'll arouse.
And we'll slow to take on the sea pilot,
For the run from the Needles to Cowes.
Now the rummagers with him are really bad news,
A scruffier lot I've not seen.
The rummagers rummage wherever they choose,
And your job you can lose
If they find all your booze,

Now me gear has all been to the cleaners,
I've filled in my customs form too.
So we might as well start on the pour out,
Till tomorrow there's no more to do.
Now we'll slow down at Fawley, it won't be long then
Till we're passing the Old School of Nav.
We'll be signing off articles round about ten,
Down the gangway and then,
We'll be shore side again.