Aw, CW, I shoulda known, but I think it's been 15 years since Bob and Dan Milner did a concert at my house in Sacramento, and I haven't seen him since. I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.

Lighter, there's no doubt that this and many other sea songs are sexist. Most of us are able to take that in stride and understand that these are historical songs. And I suppose we all like to get a little naughty at times, so we sing songs that aren't politically correct - I think that's a healthy thing. But at least in the U.S., the line gets drawn at "nigger." I think the sensitivity to this one word is a bit extreme, but it's a reality.

As for the "Jesus" verse, it's not a deal-breaker, but I think I'm going to leave it out instead of letting the editor put They ain't got Sunday on their mind. We're short of space, so he's likely to cut verses anyhow.

So, here's what I have. Anything I should change, exclude, or include in the version I submit to the songbook?

Johnny Come Down to Hilo

Never seen the like since I been born
A big buck sailor with his sea boots on
Johnny come down to Hilo / Poor old man
D - - - / - - - A / D - GD D / D A D -
Wake her, shake her
Wake that gal with the blue dress on / Johnny come down...

I got a gal across the sea
She's a 'Badian beauty & she says to me / Johnny…

Sally's in the garden picking peas
The hair on her head hanging down to her knees…

My wife she died in Tennessee
And they sent her jawbone back to me…

I put that jawbone on the fence
And I ain't heard nothing but the jawbone since…

She's a Down East gal with a Down East smile
And a dollar a time is well worth-while...

So hand me down my riding cane
I'm off to see Miss Sarah Jane…