Three heathen men set out one day
To cross the China sea—
Ah Hong Wun Ho, Gui Tong Pi Lo,
And daring Hup Si Lee.
But there was not, of all the lot,
A single one who knew
The proper way in which to sail
Upon the ocean blue.
The first was captain of the ship,
He kept an eye ahead;
The second played the part of mate,
He steered and heaved the lead;
The third was boatswain, cook, and crew,
Which kept him on the go;
He had to spread the sail aloft,
And make the tea below.
The winds began, the billows ran,
The ship went up and down;
At times she pointed out to sea,
As often back to town.
The seasick captain left the bow,
Between the decks to lie;
The boatswain, busy making tea,
Let all the canvas fly.
And, oh! the mate, the silly mate,
The worst of all was he;
To find how deep the water lay,
He leaped into the sea.
Then mate and crew, and captain too,
Began to yell and roar;
So people threw them out a line,
And hauled the ship ashore.
