Paddy and the Whale - Burl Ives

Well, Paddy Maloney left Ireland in glee

He had a strange notion to sail the Ross Sea

He shipped in a whalecatcher South Georgia bound

And the way that she pitched made his head go around

Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all

Well, Paddy had never been whalin' before

It made his heart leap when he heard the loud roar

As the lookout he cried that a whale had been spied

«Begod,» says poor Pat, «I'll be ate by and by.»

Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all

Now, Paddy run for’ard and reached for the mast

He caught it a gripper and there he held fast

The boat give a tip and poor Paddy lost his grip

And in the whale’s belly the silly fool slipped

Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all

He was in the whale’s belly six months and a day

Till one morning' by luck to its throat he made way

The whale give a hoosh, boys, and then she did blow

And a mile in the air went old Paddy Maloney

Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all

Well, Paddy got spat out quite safe on the shore

He swears he’ll not go to sea any more

And the next time he follows a venturesome notion

It’ll be when the railway runs over the ocean

Caterwaulin', tarpaulin', harpoonion' and all