Burl Ives Lyrics
"Leave Her, Johnny"

Oh, the times are hard and the wages low.
Chorus: Leave her, Johnny, leave her.
I'll pack my bag and go below.
Chorus: It's time for us to leave her.

It's growl you may but go you must:
It matters not if last or first.

I'm a-getting' thin and a-growin' sad
Since first I joined this woodenclad.

I thought I heard the first mate say,
"Just one more drag and then belay."

The work was hard and the voyage long:
The seas were high and the gales were strong.

The sails are furled: our work is done
And now on shore we'll have some fun.