Chords with lyrics
Tuning: Standard (
E MajorE 
A augmentedA 
D MajorD 
G+G 
BB E MajorE)
Verse 1:
G+G
My father often told me, when I was just a lad,
A augmentedA D MajorD
A augmentedA sailor's life was very hard, the food was always bad;
G+G
But now I've joined the navy, I'm on board a man-o-war,
A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
And now I find a sailor ain't a sailor any more!
Chorus:
G+G
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
A augmentedA D MajorD
If you see a sailing ship, it might be your last;
G+G
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
G+G A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
A augmentedA sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
Verse 2:
G+G
The 'killick' of our mess, he says we've had it soft,
G+G A augmentedA D MajorD
It wasn't like this in his day, when he was up aloft;
G+G
We like our bunks and sleeping bags, but what's a hammock for?
G+G A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
Swinging from the deckhead, or lying on the floor?
Chorus:
G+G
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
A augmentedA D MajorD
If you see a sailing ship, it might be your last;
G+G
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
A augmentedA sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
Verse 3:
G+G G+G
They gave us an engine that first went up and down,
G+G A augmentedA D MajorD
Then with more technology the engine went around;
G+G
We're good with steam and diesel, but what's a mainyard for?
A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
A augmentedA stoker ain't a stoker with a shovel any more!
Chorus:
G+G
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
A augmentedA D MajorD
If you see a sailing ship, it might be your last;
G+G
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
G+G A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
A augmentedA sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
Verse 4:
G+G
They gave us an Aldis Lamp, we can do it right,
G+G A augmentedA D MajorD
They gave us a radio, we signal day and night;
G+G
We know our codes and ciphers, but what's a 'sema' for?
A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
A augmentedA 'bunting-tosser' doesn't toss the bunting any more!
Chorus:
G+G
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
A augmentedA D MajorD
If you see a sailing ship, it might be your last;
G+G
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
G+G A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
A augmentedA sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
Verse 5:
G+G
They gave us a radar set to pierce the fog and gloom,
A augmentedA D MajorD
So now the lookout's sitting in a tiny darkened room;
G+G
Loran does navigation, the Sonar says how deep,
A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
The Jimmy's three sheets to the wind, the Skipper's fast asleep.
Chorus:
G+G
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
A augmentedA D MajorD
If you see a sailing ship, it might be your last;
G+G
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
G+G A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
A augmentedA sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
Verse 6:
G+G
Two cans of beer a day, that's your bleeding lot!
A augmentedA D MajorD
But now we get an extra one because they stopped the tot;
G+G
So, we'll put on our civvy-clothes and find a pub ashore,
A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
A augmentedA sailor's still a sailor, just like he was before!
Chorus:
G+G
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
A augmentedA D MajorD
If you see a sailing ship, it might be your last;
G+G
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
G+G A augmentedA D MajorD G+G
A augmentedA sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
