In the case of the King versus the said John Woolsey
Also known as Filthy John
Accused of smuggling under Navigation Act of 1696
And three cases of high sea piracy
How does the defendant
Being of habit and repute a thief, plead
Oh how the fuck should I know, I didn't see much, did I?
You didn't see much?
You heard me
And what were you doing
♪
Rowing with one hand hey ho
Round and round and round I go
Lassies mourn and seamen flow
Rowing with one hand hey ho
♪
Six weeks dry without consent
They all said no so off I went
Left the ship and aimed at shore
A sturdy grip around the oar
♪
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row
Rowing in a rowing boat
A trail behind me left afloat
I'll raise the level of the sea
Enjoying my own company
♪
One oar on the deck I stow
Frees next hand to go below
I ain't going straight to port
Of fantasies I'm never short
♪
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row
♪
Some like rowing two and two
Or pass the ore along the crew
Others row in solitude
All dressed up or in the nude
Some go left, and some go right
In circles rowing day and night
Takes a while to get us there
But timewise we are millionaires
♪
My starboard arm is strong and grand
As nimble be my pistol hand
Greasy oil from sperm whale spleen
Keeps my leather nice and lean
Rowing with one hand hey ho
Round and round and round I go
Lassies mourn and seamen flow
Rowing with one hand hey ho
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row
Yo ho, hey ho - hey all hands in a row
Man the pumps down below
Yo hey ho - now we row, ho, ho, ho, ho