Strike The Bell Second Mate
(Traditional)



Down on the quarter deck and walking about
There is the second mate so steady and so stout
What he is a-thinkin' of he doesn't know himself
And we wish that he would hurry up and strike, strike the bell

Strike the bell second mate, let us go below
Look ya well to windward you can see it's gonna blow
Look at the glass, you can see it has fell
Oh we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell

Down on the main deck and workin' at the pumps
There is the starboard watch just longing for their bunks
Look out to windward, and see a great swell
And we wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell

Forward on the forecastle head and keepin' sharp lookout
Yonder Johnson standin', a-longin' fer to shout
Lights' a-burnin' bright sir and everything is well
And he's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell

Aft at the wheelhouse old Anderson stands
Graspin' at the helm with his frostbitten hands
Lookin' at the compass through the course is clear as hell
And he's wishin' that the second mate would strike, strike the bell

Aft on the quarter deck our gallant captain stands
Starin' out to sea with a spyglass in his hand
What he is a-thinkin' of we know very well
He's thinkin' more of shortenin' sail than strikin' the bell