Traditional, arr: Stan Kelly
© 1961 Heathside Music
Mutinously
As a topman and an afterguard was a-walking one
Says the topam to the afterguard: Imean for to pray
For the rights of all sailors and the wrongs of all men
And whatever I do pray for you must answer: Amen.
First I'll for the bosun with his little stick
Who bawls out: All hands! and then gives us a lick,
Strikes many a brave fellow and kicks him amain
May the devil double triple damn him -- Says the
afterguard: Amen.
Next I'll pray for the purser who gives us to eat
Spew-burgo, rank butter and musty horse meat,
With weevilly old buiscuit so he gets the gain.
May the devil double triple damn him -- Says the
afterguard: Amen.
Next I'll pray for them navy officers who hold up our due.
We're owed three years wages and prize money too,
Andt it's: You can't have it yet, Jack. Try next v'yage again.
May the devil double triple damn him -- Says the
afterguard: Amen.
And the next thing I'll pray for is a post of good beer,
For the Lord sent the liquor our spirits to cheer,
And where we'got one pot I wish we had ten,
And never never want for grog, my boys -- Says the
afterguard: Amen.
Notes
One time when I visited the Spinners' club in Liverpool, a judy
asked me to sing a song she called
Kelly's Prayer.
Naturally, I was flattered, but I was forced to confess that I
had written only the odd verse or two. These "prayer" songs
are fine examples of the folk process. In Nelson's day the dialogue was
between a topman and an afterguard and I sang this particular version in a
BBC Trafalgar-Day radio programme put together by A. L. Lloyd and
called "Bold Nelson's Praise." The Navy, Army and Air
Force have each had their own versions and variants.
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