Lyr Req/Add: Take Your Pay (Woods Tea Co.)

Subject: Lyric Request: American Shipping?
From: Bill White
Date: 16 May 97 - 09:01 PM

I'm looking, yet not finding, the lyrics to a song I once heard. The lyrics to the Chorus are:

Take your pay, take your pay There isn't much work to be had today. American Shipping, it ain't much any more. Sailing those ships from the second world war.

Anyone who can help me out would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Subject: Lyr Add: TAKE YOUR PAY (Woods Tea Co.)^^
From: Jon W.
Date: 23 Oct 97 - 11:04 AM

This is a wonderful song, I got all choked up just entering the words, so you know it must be good. But due to extreme lack of talent, I'm having a hard time working out the tune. If anyone is familiar with it and could help, I'd appreciate it. I got it from the Woods Tea Co. CD "Journey Home." They got it from a band from North Carolina if my memory is accurate. I don't have the CD anymore.

TAKE YOUR PAY
Woods Tea Company, "Journey Home"

Kiss your wives, kiss your sweethearts goodbye,
Kiss your sons and daughters too.
You're gonna sail on a cargo line,
Not sure if you'll be comin' through.
The hull she is rust, and the hatches all sprung,
Six snatchbox just to get one down,
And if that patch on the starboard side gives,
Well boys, we're all gonna drown.

Chorus:
Take your pay, take your pay,
There isn't much work to be had today.
American shipping it ain't much anymore,
Sailing those ships from the Second World War.

She headed out with a cargo of coal,
Sailed past Chesapeake light.
The man on the watch, he looked out at the waves,
Said "Boys, we're in for a long night."
He tried to keep her bow to the swell,
Prayed that God would show him how,
But there isn't much help from the heavens or from hell,
You can't steer when you're down by the bow.

Chorus

She went down, but they don't know why,
Six men was all that made it through,
The company cried, "She never should have sailed,"
But what whas the master to do?
American ships with convenient flags,
All have their jobs to be done.
And if one man says that he won't work today,
There's plenty, we'll buy another one. (Alt: There's money will buy another one)

Chorus

Kiss your wives, kiss your sweethearts goodbye,
Kiss your sons and daughters too.
You're gonna sail on a cargo line,
Not sure if you'll be comin' through.

Chorus (2x)