Burl Ives — Ben Backstay

Ben Backstay was a boatswain A very jolly boy No lad than he more merrily Could pipe all hands ahoy And when unto his summons We did not well attend No lad than he more merrily Could handle a rope's end Singing chip cho, cherry cho Fol de riddle ido Singing chip cho, cherry cho Fol de riddle ido It chanced one day our captain A very jolly dog Served out to all the company A double share of grog Ben Backstay he got tipsy Unto his heart's content And being half-seas over Why overboard he went Singing chip cho, cherry cho Fol de riddlе ido Singing chip cho, cherry cho Fol de riddle ido A shark was on thе 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 in hopes; But the shark he bit his head off So he couldn't see the ropes Singing chip cho, cherry cho Fol de riddle ido Singing chip cho, cherry cho Fol de riddle ido Without his head his ghost appeared All on the briny lake: He piped all hands aloft and said; "Lads, by me warning take: By drinking grog I lost my life So lest my fate you meet Why, never mix your liquors, lads But always drink them neat."