Victoria Nautical Song Circle's
September 2001 Song Of The Month


REUBEN RANZO

Halliard Shanty

It's poor old Reuben Ranzo
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
It's poor old Reuben Ranzo
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
Well Ranzo was no sailor,
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
He was an Oak Bay tailor,
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
And though he was no sailor
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
They shipped him aboard a whaler.
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
They put him to holy-stonin'
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
Because of all his groanin'.
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
They gave him lashes thirty,
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
Because he was so dirty.
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
The captain's daughter Susie,
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
She begged her dad for mercy.
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
She gave him rum and water,
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
And a bit more than she oughter.
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
She taught him navigation,
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
She gave him an education.
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
She made him the best sailor
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
On board that Oak Bay whaler
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
He married the captain's daughter,
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
And still sails on blue water.
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
And now wherever the whale fish blow,
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
He's the hardest bastard on the go
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!
 
Hurrah for Reuben Ranzo,
  Ranzo, boys, Ranzo!
Hurrah for Captain Ranzo.
  Ranzo, me boys, Ranzo!


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