Another version

THE PRESSGANG
By Cliff Haslam & John Millar

As I walked down on London street
A pressgang there I chanced to meet
They asked me if I'd join the fleet
On board of a Man-of-War

Come brother shipmates, tell me true
What kind of treatment they give you
So I may know before I go
On board of a Man-of-War

When I got there to my surprise
All that they'd told me was shocking lies
There was a row and some jolly old fights
On board of a Man-of-War

The first thing they done when they took me in hand
They lashed me with a tar of a strand
They flogged me till I could not stand
On board of a Man-of-War

Now I was married and me wife's name was Kate
'Twas she that drive me to this bad state
She that caused me to go away
On board of a Man-of-War

When next I get my foot on shore
To see them London girls once more
I'll never go to sea no more
On board of a Man-o-War

SOURCE: FOLKWAYS RECORDS FH 5275
SEA SONGS & CHANTEYS
SUNG at SEAPORT '76