The Balena trad:

On the noble fleet of whalers out sailing from Dundee

Well manned by British sailors to work them on the sea

On the western ocean passage none with them can compare

For there's not a ship could make the trip as the "Balena"

I declare

CHORUS:

And the wind is on her quarter and her engine working free

And there's not another whaler a-sailing from Dundee

Can beat the old "Balena" and you need not try her on

For we challenge all both large and small from Dundee to St. Johns

There's the new built "Terra Nova", she's a model with no doubt

There's the "Arctic" and "Aurora", you've heard so much about

There's Jacklin's model mail-boat, the terror of the sea

Couldn't beat the old "Balena" boys, on a passage from Dundee...

CHORUS

And it happened on the Thursday four days after we left Dundee

Was carried off the quarter boats all in a raging sea

That took away our bulwark, our stanchions and our rails

And left the whole concern boys, a-floating in the gales...

CHORUS

Bold Jacklin carries canvas and fairly raises steam

And Captain Guy's a daring boy, goes ploughing through the stream

But Millan says the "Eskimo" could beat the blooming lot

But to beat the old "Balena" boys, they'd find it rather hot...

CHORUS

An' now that we've landed boys, where the rum is mighty cheap

We'll drink success to the Captain, for getting us over the deep

And a health to all our sweet hearts, an' to our wives so fair

Not another ship could make that trip but the "Balena" I declare...

CHORUS

Lyrics courtesy www.sailorsongs.com