it ain’t so bad as graveyards go
a little damp, but listen close
so you can hear the whispers of a sailors ghost
on the day I sailed to sea
my mama cried, my daddy prayed
but it saved me from a banker’s wage
so on the sea I stayed
on the sea I stayed

I sailed the seas to learn the stars
but I soon forgot ‘em
on the day I came to rest upon the soggy bottom

see my pa there with his pipe
see my ma there in her gown
see me dance with all the girls in London town.
once I was a handsome man
I had a girl in every port
I lived to love them, I loved to leave them
I loved them just for sport
I loved them just for sport

I sailed the seas to learn the stars
but I soon forgot ‘em
on the day I came to rest upon the soggy bottom

come ye sailors, drink until you roar
don’t you know your money ain’t no good no more

now and then, you'll hear my ghost
rushing out, rushing in
can’t you hear the tide is going out again
let the others leave their tracks
where the cold winds ever blow
see them in the violet hour paying what they owe
paying what they owe

I sailed the seas to learn the stars
but I soon forgot ‘em
on the day I came to rest upon the soggy bottom
as a lad I loved my kin
but I soon forgot ‘em
on the day I came to rest upon the soggy bottom
upon the soggy bottom