Page 113
Written by Harry Clifton 1856
after Planxty / Moore, capo 2
On Board of the Kangaroo
by Harry Clifton
[D] Once I was a [C] waiter man that [C] lived at [D] home at [G] ease
[G] But now I am a [C] mari- [G] ner that [D] ploughs the angry [G] seas
I [D] always liked sea- [C] faring life, and bid my [D] love [G] adieu
I [G] shipped as steward and [C] cook, my [G] boys,
on [D] board the Kanga- [G] roo
( Chorus
Oh, I [D] never thought she [Am] would prove false,
Or [C] either [D] prove [G] untrue,
Till we [G] sailed away through [C] Milford Bay, [G]
On [D] board o' the Kanga- [G] roo. )
'Oh, think of me, oh, think of me,' she mournfully did say,
'When you are in a foreign land and I am far away.
Take this lucky threepenny bit, 'twill make you bear in mind
Of a loving, trusting faithful heart you have left in tears behind.'
'Cheer up, cheer up, my own true love, don't weep so bitterly,'
She sobbed, she sighed, she choked, she cried, and could not say goodbye.
'Oh, I won't be gone so very long, just but a month or two,
And when I will return again, of course I'll marry you.'
Chorus
Our ship she was homeward bound from many a foreign shore,
And many a foreign present unto my love I bore.
I brought tortoises from Teneriffe and ties from Timbuctoo,
A china rat, a Bengal cat, and a Bombay cockatoo.
Paid off I sought her dwelling in a street above the town,
Where an ancient dame upon a line was hanging out her gown.
'Where is my love?' 'She's married, sir, about six months ago,
To a smart young man that drives the van for Chapping, Son and Co.'
Chorus
Here's a health to dreams of married life, to soap, to suds, and blue,
Hearts, true lovers, patent starch and washing soda too.
I will go unto some distant shore, no longer can I stay,
And on some China Hottentot I'll throw myself away.
My true love's not a foolish girl, her age it is two score,
My love she is no a spinster, she was married twice before.
I cannot say it was her wealth that stole me heart away,
She's a washer and a laundary for one and 9 a day.
Chorus
[G] But now I am a [C] mari- [G] ner that [D] ploughs the angry [G] seas
I [D] always liked sea- [C] faring life, and bid my [D] love [G] adieu
I [G] shipped as steward and [C] cook, my [G] boys,
on [D] board the Kanga- [G] roo
( Chorus
Oh, I [D] never thought she [Am] would prove false,
Or [C] either [D] prove [G] untrue,
Till we [G] sailed away through [C] Milford Bay, [G]
On [D] board o' the Kanga- [G] roo. )
'Oh, think of me, oh, think of me,' she mournfully did say,
'When you are in a foreign land and I am far away.
Take this lucky threepenny bit, 'twill make you bear in mind
Of a loving, trusting faithful heart you have left in tears behind.'
'Cheer up, cheer up, my own true love, don't weep so bitterly,'
She sobbed, she sighed, she choked, she cried, and could not say goodbye.
'Oh, I won't be gone so very long, just but a month or two,
And when I will return again, of course I'll marry you.'
Chorus
Our ship she was homeward bound from many a foreign shore,
And many a foreign present unto my love I bore.
I brought tortoises from Teneriffe and ties from Timbuctoo,
A china rat, a Bengal cat, and a Bombay cockatoo.
Paid off I sought her dwelling in a street above the town,
Where an ancient dame upon a line was hanging out her gown.
'Where is my love?' 'She's married, sir, about six months ago,
To a smart young man that drives the van for Chapping, Son and Co.'
Chorus
Here's a health to dreams of married life, to soap, to suds, and blue,
Hearts, true lovers, patent starch and washing soda too.
I will go unto some distant shore, no longer can I stay,
And on some China Hottentot I'll throw myself away.
My true love's not a foolish girl, her age it is two score,
My love she is no a spinster, she was married twice before.
I cannot say it was her wealth that stole me heart away,
She's a washer and a laundary for one and 9 a day.
Chorus