The Handsome Cabin Boy– trad., as sung by Gordon Bok

 

Modified from a transcription of a version sung by Kate Bush, to fit how I recall Gordon Bok
singing it on his album A Tune for November, Folk-Legacy, 1970.

In D, as recorded, but Bok is a bass. Consider capo-ing up two to E.

 

           D                                   C

1.  It's of a pretty female... as you may understand

            D                                             G      C   G     D
    Her mind being bent on rambling... into a foreign land

               D                                                      G      C      G   D

    She's dressed herself in sailor's clothes... or so it does appear

                    D                                             C                       D  

    And she's signed on with the captain... to serve him for a year

 

 

2. The captain's wife she being on board... she seem-ed in great joy     [omitted by Kate Bush]
To see her husband had engaged... such a handsome cabin boy
And now and then she'd slip him a kiss... and she would have liked to toy
But 'twas the captain found out the secret of... the handsome cabin boy

3. Whose cheeks were red like roses... and her hair all in a curl
The sailors often smiled and said... "He looks just like a girl."
But eating of the captain's biscuits... her colour did destroy
And the waist did swell of pretty Nell... the handsome cabin boy

4. 'Twas round the Bay of Biscay... the gallant ship did plow                 [omitted by Lou Killen]
One night amongst the sailors... a hell of a fury and row
It tumbled the men from out their hammocks... their sleep it did destroy
Terrible cursin' and a-moanin' of... the handsome cabin boy

5. "Oh doctor, dear,  oh doctor"... the cabin boy did cry
"My time has come -- I am undone... and I will surely die"
The doctor come a-runnin' and a-smilin'... at the fun --
For to think a sailor lad should have... a daughter or a son

6. The sailors when they heard the news... they all did stand and stare
The child belonged to none of them... they solemnly did swear
The captain's wife, she says to him... "My dear I wish you joy --
For 'tis either you or I have betrayed... the handsome cabin boy."

 

7. Now sailors take your tot of rum... and drink success to trade              [omitted by Kate Bush]
And likewise to the cabin boy... who was neither man nor maid
Here's hoping the wars don't rise again... our vessels to destroy
And here's hoping for a jolly lot more... like the handsome cabin boy

 

For best results, pull the melody out of the 3rd, 4th and 5th strings.

 

- Transcribed by WA, 28 Oct 2002. Last edited 29 Oct 2002. Formatting last tweaked 29 Oct 2002.