Chicken of the Sea

Chicken of the Sea

Way back in 1862 or was it ’63,
we sailed with Captain Perry,
the coward of the sea.
We didn’t sink the Merimac,
no matter what they say,
cause when we saw the Rebel ship,
we sailed the other way.

We saw the Rebs a comin’
and was told to batton down.
The ship was lurching left to right,
and we nearly ran aground.
"Full astern," the Captain yelled,
his face was red with fear,
"We can’t allow the Rebs to board,
or get their ship too near.”

The Bosun blew the whistle,
as the helmsman turned to port,
and waves were splashing on the deck,
as we headed to the fort.
When we entered safe and sound,
the Rebs begin to yell,
"You dirty coward Yankees,
we’ll send you all to… well!"

Oh! We didn’t sink the Rebel ship,
and we didn’t fight at all,
we spent out time in Portsmouth,
and really had a ball.
Chasin’ after women while the Captain stayed on call,
Livin’ it up on lemon juice and rotgut alkeyhaul!