A Long Time Ago

A smart Yankee packet lay out in the bay,
   To my way, hey, ho-dah!
Awaiting for a fair wind to get under way,
   It's a long time ago.

Ch.
It's a long time, long time, very long time,
   It's a long time ago.
It's a long time, long time, very long time,
   It's a long time ago.

With all her poor sailors sick and all sad,
For they'd drunk all their whiskey, no more could be had,

She was waiting for a fair wind to get under way,
If she hasn't had a fair wind she's lying there still.

A dollar a day is a stevedore's pay
Dollar a day, I heard them say,

I bought in Hong Kong a pretty silk dress,
I'm taking it home to my sweetheard Bess,

My Bess is fair and sweet to view,
Her hair is brown and her eyes are blue,

I thought I heard our second mate say,
One more pull, and then belay,