Aloft we all must go oh,
Ch: John come down the backstay,
In hail and frost and snow-oh,
Ch: John come down the backstay, John Dameray!

John Dameray - John come down the backstay
John Dameray - John come down the backstay
John Dameray

John Dameray - John come down the backstay
John Dameray - John come down the backstay
John Dameray

My ma she wrote to me,
"My son, come home from sea."

Got no monay and no clo'es
Am knocking out of doors.

My home I soon will be in,
And then we'll have some gin.

From sea I will keep clear
And live by selling beer.

From Songs of the Sailor and Lumberman by William Main Doerflinger (1951, '72, '91)