George Simpson, of Dundee, Scotland, spent about ten years at sea between 1888 and 1899. He provided carpenter with ten shanties an a text of "The Golden Vanity."

Simpson called the present song, "Around the Horn." Though its tune is somewhat reminiscent of Hugill's, the text is quite different.


Whilst sailing down the nor'east trades one moonlight night at sea,
We're gathered on the fo'c'sle head, so hearty gay and free,
Conversing of the pretty girls that we loved far away,
Around Cape Horn an home again - that is a sailor's way!

Across the Line and Gulf Stream, and bound around Table bay,
Around Cape Horn and home again - that is a sailor's way!

I've traded [down?]America [plowed? bound? plyed?][all along Hayti?],
I've courted all those [bold gay?] girls beneath the old palm tree;
I've travelled the world far and nigh from the Horn to Bot'ny Bay,
Around Cape Horn and home again - that is a sailor's way!


    Bracketed words remain obscure, but the suggested readings may be plausible. I tried to fit in Yokohama, Hong Kong, and the Broomielaw but they wouldn't cooperate! ; )