The version we have been singing in Hastings, UK, for the past 10 years is as follows.

RATCLIFFE HIGHWAY

As I was a rollin' down the Highway one morn
I spied a flash packet from old Wapping town
As soon as I see'd her I slacked me main brace
I hoisted me stuns'ls and to her gave chase

        Chorus: Oh me riggin' is slack and me ratlin's are frayed
                    I rattled me riggin' down Ratcliffe Highway.

Her flag was three colours, her masthead was low,
She was round at the corner and bluff at the bow,
From larboard to starboard and so she rolled free,
She was sailing at large, she was running free.

I fired me bow chaser, the signal she knew,
She backed her main top'sls and for me hove to.
I lowered down me jolly boat and rowed alongside,
I found madam's gangway was open and wide.

I hailed her in English, she answered me clear,
I'm from the Black Arrow, bound for the Shakespeare.
So I wore ship with her, and what do you know?
I slipped her me hawser and took her in tow.

I tipped her me flipper, me tow rope and all,
She then let her hand on me reef tackle fall.
She then took me up to her lily white room,
And in her main rigging I fouled me jib boom.

I entered her cubby hole, and swore damn your eyes,
She was naught but a fire ship rigged up in disguise.
She had a foul bottom from stem post to fore,
Between wind and water she ran me ashore.

She set fire to me riggin' as well as me hull
And away to the lazeret I had to scull.
With me helm hard a starboard as I rolled along
Me shipmates called 'hey Jack, your main yard is sprung'.

Now I'm safe in harbour, me moorings all fast,
I lays here quite snug boys till all dangers past.
With me main yard all square boys and parceled and tarred.
Wasn't that a stiff breeze boys that sprung me main yard.

Here's a health to the girl with the black curly locks,
Here's a health to the girl who ran me on the rocks.
Here's a health to the quack boys, who eased me from pain,
If I meet that flash packet I'll board her again.