this was the happiest period in his life...

Lyrics

a's for the anchor that lies at our bow, b's for the bowsprit and the jibs all lie low, c's for the capstan we all run around, d's for the davits to lower the boat down, merrily, merrily, so merry sail we, no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea, heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along, give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong, e's for the ensign that at our mast flew, f's for the forecastle where lives our crew, g's for the galley where the salt junk smells strong, and h for the halyards we hoist with a song, merrily, merrily, so merry sail we, no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea, heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along, give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong, i's for the eyebolts, no good for the feet, j's for the jibs, boys, stand by the lee sheet, k's for the knighthead where our petty officer stands, l's for the leeside, hard found by new hands, merrily, merrily, so merry sail we, no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea, heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along, give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong, m's for the mainmast, it's stout and it's strong, n's for the needle that never points wrong, o's for the oars of our old jolly boats, and p's for the pinnace which lively do float, merrily, merrily, so merry sail we, no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea, heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along, give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong, q's for the quarterdeck where our officer stands, r's for the rudder that keeps the ship in command, s is for the stunsells that drive her along, and t's for the topsail, to get there takes long, merrily, merrily, so merry sail we, no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea, heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along, give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong, u's for the uniform, mostly worn aft, v's for the vangs running from the main gaff, w's for water, we're on a pint and a pound, and x marks the spot where old stormies had drowned, merrily, merrily, so merry sail we, no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea, heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along, give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong, y's for the yardarm, needs a good sailor man, z is for zoe, and i'm her fancy man, z's also for zero in the cold winter time, and now we have brought all the letters in rhyme, merrily, merrily, so merry sail we, no mortal on earth like a sailor at sea, heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along, give a sailor his grog and there's nothing goes wrong, john lee, your headache's growing, the cold wind's blowing, but the sea's without a ripple, john lee, your forehead's damp, your muscles cramp, and the sea can't use a cripple, john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee, john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee, john lee's been made a freeman, his heart's a seaman, but his flesh won't make a sailor, working in a big hotel, waiting for the bell, that's ringing for his labour, john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee, john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee, john lee, your chances are good, you better touch wood, we think things must get better, john lee, you've a friend so true, she wants to help you, miss keyes has sent a letter, john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee, john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee, "dear john, come and work at the glen, just write me when, and i'll send someone to meet you", john's gone to where he started from, he's not worked long, just beginning to belong, "it hasn't been a very good day, the missus wants to halve my pay, close the door and douse the light, it's quiet at night when he's tucked in tight, sometimes i feel, when they're all in bed, it's almost like the whole world's dead, so i lay me down to sleep, i pray thee lord my soul to keep", john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee, john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee, john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee, john lee, you're turning around your fate again, oh, john lee