Fairport Convention – Sailor’s Alphabet Chords

A’s for the anchor that lies at our bow;
B’s for the bowsprit and the jibs all lie low
C’s for the capstan we all run around;
D’s for the davits to lower the boat down

Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s nothing goes wrong

E’s for the ensign that at our peak flew;
F’s for the forecastle, where lives our wild crew
G’s for the galley where the salt junk smells strong;
And H is the halyards, we hoist with a song

Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s nothing goes wrong

I’s for the eyebolts, no good for the feet;
J’s for the jibs hoist, stands by the lee sheet
K’s for the knightheads where the petty officer stands;
L’s for the leeside, not manned by new hands

Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s nothing goes wrong

M’s for the mainmast, it’s stout and it’s strong;
N’s for the needle that never points wrong
O’s for the oars of our old jolly boats;
And P’s for the pinnace that lively do float

Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s nothing goes wrong

Q’s for the quarterdeck where officers stand;
And R’s for the rudder – keeps the ship in com-mand
S is for the stuns’ls that drive her along;
T’s for the tops’ls, to get there takes long

Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s nothing goes wrong

U’s for the uniform, mostly worn aft;
V’s for the vangs running from the main gap
W’s for water, we’re on a pint and a pound;
And X marks the spot where old Stormy was drowned

Merrily, merrily, so merry sail we
No mortal on earth like a sailor at sea
Heave away, haul away, the ship rolls along
Give a sailor his grog and there’s nothing goes wrong

Y’s for yard arm, needs a good sailor man;
Z is for Zoë, I’m her fancy man
Z’s also for zero in the cold winter time;
And now we have brought all the letters in rhyme