S.S. McAbee

by Karl and Gail Hourigan

I wake up in the morning when the sun’s already high
I’m feeling kind of seasick but I don’t remember why
I pull open the curtain and the ocean’s all I see
I’m the captain of the SS McAbee

I stagger to the wheelhouse and the first mate shakes my hand
he tells me it’s a fortnight until we see the land
and meanwhile in the galley the drink is running free
it’s a good life on the SS McAbee

CHORUS:
oh the SS McAbee
she’s a tramp out on the sea
her freight is coconuts, white rum and old whisky
and if there was a captain as brave and bold as me,
he’d be sailing on the SS McAbee

I’ve been in love 100 times but never stuck around
my heart is never happy with my feet stuck on the ground
the salty air is calling come join me and be free
I’m the captain of the SS McAbee

I never drink on Sunday until the clock strikes one
but then I’ll drink ‘til Friday and the weekend has begun
Saturday we party and I think you’ll all agree
it’s a good life on the SS McAbee

I’ve sailed the blue Pacific, the gray Atlantic too
I’ve stayed in every harbour from here to Timbuktu
and when my days are over they’ll bury me at sea
I’m the captain of the SS McAbee