Whaling was a horrible way to earn a living, but they had it slightly easier than the whales. Sometimes the whale won:



             The Last Whale Hunt





When I was a young man, I dreamed of life at sea,

For adventure and for riches, and the dream did capture me,

But the whaling life is bitter and the owners get the gold

While we settle for a pittance when the oil is sold.



Ever since I was a young man, I've hunted for the whale

Around the world's great oceans we go with oars and sail

But I tire of the killing, I tire of the sea

Now the voices of my loved ones are calling me.



The air is always putrid the bunks are often wet

I mind the years I've wasted, and it fills me with regret

But when this trip is finished and I am safe ashore

I'll turn my back on this life and sail no more.



Last week from the masthead the cry of "There he spouts"

We chased him with the long boats until he wore us out

But the sperm whale is a killer, and he turned on us at last

His tail flukes smashed the long boat as he went past.



The first Mate and the harpooneer met their fate that day

And I've lost my lust for whaling, I can no longer stay

But the hold is full of oil now, we need no longer roam

There's a fair wind on our quarter, rolling home.