My father always told me when I was just a lad
A sailor's life was very hard, the food was always bad
But now I've joined the navy, aboard a man o' war
But now I find a sailor ain't a sailor anymore

Don't pull on the rope!
Don't climb up the mast!
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore

The killick of our mess, he says we got it soft
I wasn't like this in his day when he was up aloft
We like our bunks and sleeping bags, and what's a hammock for?
A-swingin' from the deckhead or lying on the floor?

Don't pull on the rope!
Don't climb up the mast!
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore

They gave us an engine, the first one up and down
With some more technology the engine went around
We know our steam and diesel, but what's a mainyard for?
A stoker ain't a stoker with a shovel anymore
Don't pull on the rope!
Don't climb up the mast!
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore

They gave us an aldis lamp, so we could do it right
They gave us a radio to signal day and night
We know our codes and ciphers, but what's a semaphore?
A bunting tosser doesn't toss the bunting anymore

Don't pull on the rope!
Don't climb up the mast!
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore

Two cans of beer a day and that's your bleedin' lot
They gave us an extra one because we swabbed the top
So get on your civvy clothes, you'll find a pub ashore
A sailor's still a sailor, just like he was before!

Don't pull on the rope!
Don't climb up the mast!
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore
Don't pull on the rope!
Don't climb up the mast!
If you see a sailin' ship it might be your last
Get your savings ready for another round ashore
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor anymore