"The Old Balena" lyrics - THE IRISH ROVERS

On the noble fleet of whalers out sailing from Dundee
Well manned by British sailors to work them on the sea
On the western ocean passage none with them can compare
For there's not a ship could make the trip as the "Balena" I declare

[Chorus:]
And the wind is on her quarter and her engine working free
And there's not another whaler a-sailing from Dundee
Can beat the old "Balena" and you need not try her on
For we challenge all both large and small from Dundee to St. Johns

There's the new built "Terra Nova", she's a model with no doubt
There's the "Arctic" and "Aurora", you've heard so much about
There's Jacklin's model mail-boat, the terror of the sea
Couldn't beat the old "Balena" boys, on a passage from Dundee...

[Chorus]

And it happened on the Thursday four days after we left Dundee
Was carried off the quarter boats all in a raging sea
That took away our bulwark, our stanchions and our rails
And left the whole concern boys, a-floating in the gales...

[Chorus]

Bold Jacklin carries canvas and fairly raises steam
And Captain Guy's a daring boy, goes ploughing through the stream
But Millan says the "Eskimo" could beat the blooming lot
But to beat the old "Balena" boys, they'd find it rather hot...

[Chorus]

An' now that we've landed boys, where the rum is mighty cheap
We'll drink success to the Captain, for getting us over the deep
And a health to all our sweet hearts, an' to our wives so fair
Not another ship could make that trip but the "Balena" I declare...