THE "PHYLLIS BOWATER"
^^
The "PHYLLIS BOWATER" sailed out from New York,
Gleaming and shining in her new painted coat.
For three days the crew had been working like mad,
To cover the rusty old patches she had.
For three months and more she'd been on the run;
From New York to "Newfie" and back she had come.
And each time the crew went out on the spree,
Up to Times Square, the ladies to see.

They'd had a good time, but just as we feared,
Venus's measles they soon appeared;
These "New York Gals" had taken their cash,
And in return gave them all a rash!
And so to the doctor they made their way;
He gave them the cure but they all had to pay.
So off to Times Square no longer they went,
For the Doctor and the ladies took every last cent.

As the "PHYLLIS BOWATER" pulled out of Brooklyn,
The Coast Guard Captain called "Get back on in!
You cannot sail away, painted like that!
So get back to your mooring! Do you hear me, Mac?"
Well, the "Old Man" could not understand
Why he'd been ordered back to the land;
But when he walked to the bow, he gave a great cry -
For in front of the name "PHYLLIS" was painted "SY"!


Phyllis Bowater: Notes (RB)

Tune: Villikins and his Dinah/Sweet Betsy from Pike
(adapted slightly for the second four lines of each verse)

The Bowater Paper Company's boats (mostly named for female members of the Bowater family) ran from Newfoundland, up the Great Lakes and down the east coast of America, carrying newsprint from the up-country paper mills to the various population centres.

This ballad appeared from nowhere across the Bowater fleet, and I believe it is based on fact. For the rest of the season, the Phyllis Bowater was known amongst the other ships' crews as the "Syphillis"!

RJC