Ben Backstay        Lyrics courtesy  www.sailorsongs.com  

Ben Backstay was our boatswain A very merry boy
For no one half so merrily Could pipe all hands ahoy
And when unto his summons We did not well attend
No lad than he more cheerily Could handle the ropes end

Singing chip chow cherry chow  Fol de riddle ido
Singing chip chow cherry chow  Fol de riddle ido

While sailing once our Captain Who was a jolly dog
Served out to all our company A double share of grog
Ben backstay he got tipsy  All to his hearts content
And he being half seas over Why overboard he went

A shark was on the larboard bow Sharks don't on manners stand
But grapple all they come near Just like your sharks on land
We heaved Ben out some tackling Of saving him some hope's
But the shark had bit his head off So he couldn't see the ropes

Without his head his ghost appeared All on the briny lake
He piped all hands ahoy and cried Lads warning by me take
By drinking grog I lost my life So lest my fate you meet
Why never mix your liquors lads But always take them neat  

Lyrics courtesy of www.sailorsongs.com