No 4 Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmates

A traditional song that was sung by British Royal Navy sailors in the Napoleonic Era (1799-1815). It is to be found in Volume 32 of Naval Songs and Ballads (Charles Harding Firth, Navy Records Society 1908) 1. Safe and sound at home again, Let the waters roar, Jack. One more time with glad refrain, Let the chorus soar, Jack. Chorus Long we’ve tossed on the rollin’ main, Now we’re safe ashore, Jack. Don’t forget yer old ship-mate, Fal-dee ral-dee ral-dee ral-dee Rye-eye-doe! 2. Since we sailed from Plymouth Sound, Four years gone, or nigh, Jack. Was there ever chummies now, Such as you and I, Jack? 3. Oftentimes have we laid out, Toil nor danger fearin’, Tuggin’ out the flappin’ sail To the weather earrin’. 4. When the middle watch was on, And the time went slow, boy, Who could choose a rousin’ stave, Who like Jack or Joe, boy? 5. But the best of friends must part, Fair or foul the weather. Hand yer flipper for a shake, Now, a drink together.