Classic Poem

(Variations on repetition of solos shown in parentheses)

1 There was an old lady who lived in Dundee,
To me way, hay, hay, yah.
There was an old lady who lived in Dundee,
Oh, a long time ago. . . .

2 Now, her sons (they) grew up and they all went to sea.

3 One became mate and the other a sailor,

4 But the one that I'm going to tell you of, the story is:

5 He joined a Hark bound out for the East,

6 And not as a sailor nor yet as a mate.

7 He joined as the master of that fine clipper ship.

8 Now, you all remember the ship that I mentioned.

9 'Twas the Cutty Sark , (and) her name was so high.

10 Now he took her out East and he lost his old ship.
Oh, he took her out East and he lost his whole trip.

11 He took her out East as these words I have told you,

12 Out to Foochow and then home again,
Oh, out to Foochow and home again.

13 Now, un'appily for him, he married out there

14 A nice little girl with a long pigtail!

15 Oh, she wore the trousers and he wore the shirt.

16 But when I can tell you the voyage 'e made 'ome,

17 Now, it's a long, long time and a very long time,
Oh, a long, long time and a very long time.

18 One hundred and eight days, he did sail.
One hundred and eight days, oh, he did said. . . .

19 And 'e used to look at 'is Chinese wife and say,

20 " If it 'adn't a been for your unluck on board! "

21 Now, a long, long time and a very long time.

22 Now, I told you he was always a-growlin' at 'is wife,

23 But when in London he did arrive,

24 The owners they told him he had made a record voyage!

25 So what did he do but he's blessed his young wife

26 And instead of callin' her Mong Sallee,

27 He called her the sweet name of Mong Cutty Sark.
A lively variant of the tune of this shanty is: