Barge Ballad Songtext
von The Longest Johns

Once there was a barge lad
Way up atop the mast
Shouting to the skipper
We′ve made it home at last
Well I was that barge lad
Way up atop the mast
But now I'm the skipper and that
Young nipper had better be holding fast

Oh, we′re loaded down
With bales so high
You've got to lean backwards if ya want to see the sky
Oh, the Thames may forgive us
But the old never will
So eyes front and away we'll sail


Oh, you′ve got to be able
Way up atop the mast
Your legs better be nimble
And your head better think fast
Well I was that able
Way up atop the mast
But now I′m the skipper and that young nipper is hardy enough to last

Oh, we're loaded down
With bales so high
You′ve got to lean backwards if ya want to see the sky
Oh, the Thames may forgive us
But the old never will
So eyes front, keep your head, and away we'll sail

Oh, you′ve got eyes like an eagle
Way up atop the mast
Spotting all the obstacles
That come across your path
Well I was that eagle
Way up atop the mast
But now I'm the skipper and that young
Nipper will keep us from takin′ a bath


Oh, we're loaded down
With bales so high
You've got to lean backwards if ya want to see the sky
Oh, the Thames may forgive us
But the old never will
So eyes front, keep your head, clear your throat, and away we′ll sail

Oh, you′ve got to remember
Way up atop the mast
Knowing all the river
Is that you never learn from the charts
Well I do remember
Way up atop the mast
But now I'm the skipper and that
Young nipper is taking the rivers to heart

Oh, we′re loaded down
With bales so high
You've got to lean backwards if ya want to see the sky
Oh, the Thames may forgive us
But the old never will
So eyes front
Keep your head
Clear your throat
Know your way
Fill your pipe
Grab on tight
Look for the lights
And away we sail