But before, and before, and ever so long before
Any square-rigged vessel hove in sight
The Canton deep-sea craft carried bulkheads fore and aft,
And took good care to keep ’em water-tight—atite—atite!
From Amboyna to the Great Australian Bight!
Once there was a sailor-man singing just this way—
(Too muchee yowl-o, sickum best flend!
Singee all-same pullee lope—haul and belay.
Hully up and coilum down an’—bite off end!)
But before, and before, and ever so long before