The Common Sailor

Lyrics courtesy of www.sailorsongs.com

I'm the man before the mast
That ploughs the raging sea  
And on this simple subject
Will you please enlighten me 
Common sailors we are called
Come tell me the reason why 
And on this simple subject I'll reply 

CHORUS sung after each verse 

Don't you call us common sailors anymore 
Don't you call us common sailors anymore 
Good things to you we bring 
Don't you call us common men 
We're as good as anybody that's on shore 

The young girls of this country
Their growing days we bless 
We brings them silks and satins
Out of which they makes a dress 
To gain the heart of some young man
As fancy dresses do 
Don't never despise the sailor boys
That sails the ocean blue  

The young gents of this country
They're sitting at their ease 
Not thinking on the stormy nights
That we spent on the seas 
We brings the leaves to make cigars
To decorate their face 
They wouldn't call us common
If they were sometimes in our place 

When speaking of a man ashore
We never hear you say 
He's a common this or common that
Be his calling what it may 
Be he a traveling tinker
Or a scavenger, or a sweep
Then why call us common sailors
Who battle with the deep

Lyrics courtesy of www.sailorsongs.com