I once went fishin and I caught a mermaid
Told that she was neptunes daughter
I could probuck for a buck and a quarter
Sold them a pen for writing under
The water
Water backing

ship ahoy ship ahoy backing

So I told her pappy
That we could be happy
Pappy said listen here you bounder
You can na keep her just cause you founder
She is engaged to a very wealthy flounder

flounder backing

ship ahoy ship ahoy backin

Begged her to marry she didn't tarry
I slipped the finger upon flipper we sailed away on a yankee flipper
Soon we were blessed with an eight bouncing dipper

dipper backing
ship ahoy ship ahoy backing

Thought her shy one but she was a sly one
First I thing knew she took to swinging 
Slippin around and never caring
Cuddlin with every Tom and Dick Harry
Harry backing
ship ahoy ship ahoy backing

She got slyer and no one a liar 
Spare all maloon or gin and splurgin 
Liken a face without no urgin
Specially when she said she was a sturger
sturger backing

So I learned my lesson and now I'm confessin
I'm ain't gonna miss that mermaid squawkin
She no ain't no good for walkin
Who needs the half that's always busy 
Talkin
Talkin backing
ship ahoy
ship ahoy ship ahoy ship ahoy ship ahoy backing