Burl Ives — Jack Was Every Inch a Sailor

Jack was ev'ry inch a sailor Five and twenty years a whaler Jack was ev’ry inch a sailor He was born upon the bright blue sea Now 'twas twenty five or thirty years Since Jack first saw the light He came into this world of woe One dark and stormy night He was born on board his father's ship As she was lying to ’Bout twenty five or thirty miles Southeast of Baccalieu Jack was ev'ry inch a sailor Five and twenty years a whaler Jack was ev'ry inch a sailor He was born upon the bright blue sea When Jack grew up to be a man He went to Labrador Hе fished in Indian Harbour Where his fathеr fished before On his returning in the fog He met a heavy gale And Jack was swept into the sea And swallowed by a whale Jack was ev'ry inch a sailor Five and twenty years a whaler Jack was ev'ry inch a sailor He was born upon the bright blue sea The whale went straight for Baffin's Bay About ninety knots an hour And every time he'd blow a spray He'd send it in a shower "O, now" says Jack unto himself "I must see what he’s about" He caught the whale by the tail And turned him inside out Jack was ev’ry inch a sailor Five and twenty years a whaler Jack was ev'ry inch a sailor He was born upon the bright blue sea