The Pilots of Tiger Bay by Stan Hugill Lyrics
'Twas in the year of '94 and I think of March the 20th day
I thought I'd have a little cruise from the Well Street home to Tiger Bay
As I rolled through old Wappin street, 't as there I met a pretty maid
She gave me a kiss and she lifted her skirts, her legs were all in fine array
[Chorus]
Whack fol the looray looray laido whack fol the looray looray lay
Whack fol the looray looray lay hurrah for the pilots of Tiger Bay!
When we set sail it was quite late, it was the hour of ten at night
We never slacked a tack or a sheet 'til we came to the house of Mother Wright
And when I saw that cosy room, I there resolved to stay next day
So I took that gal for me harbour dues and she piloted me down to Tiger Bay
[Chorus]
Then in the morning when I woke, I found myself in doldrum grounds
But the madam wouldn't let me go until I had spent twenty pounds
Says I to myself: this'll never do, I'll jump this bark without delay
So I took a slant for the Well Street home from the rocks and shoals of Tiger Bay
[Chorus]
Now when I got back to the Well Street home I met my mate in the smoker there
He shouted: Jack, where the hell have you been? You seem to be in ballast there
I hung my head, not a word I'd say, I got me another ship that day
And if I ever go to London again I'll take another cruise down to Tiger Bay
[Chorus]
To all you young fellers in this room I've only got one word to say
Whenever you meet a pretty little maid just lead her gently by the way
There's many an ups and downs in the world, and many a pretty girl down the highway
But the prettiest ones that you'll ever see are the pilots down in Tiger Bay
[Chorus]
To you young ladies in this room I've only got one word to say
Whenever you meet a sailor hard up just give him a leg up on the way
For if you do you'll never rue he'll have some money another day
And he'll pay you back when he hoisted his Jack to a pilot down to Tiger Bay
[Chorus]
I thought I'd have a little cruise from the Well Street home to Tiger Bay
As I rolled through old Wappin street, 't as there I met a pretty maid
She gave me a kiss and she lifted her skirts, her legs were all in fine array
[Chorus]
Whack fol the looray looray laido whack fol the looray looray lay
Whack fol the looray looray lay hurrah for the pilots of Tiger Bay!
When we set sail it was quite late, it was the hour of ten at night
We never slacked a tack or a sheet 'til we came to the house of Mother Wright
And when I saw that cosy room, I there resolved to stay next day
So I took that gal for me harbour dues and she piloted me down to Tiger Bay
[Chorus]
Then in the morning when I woke, I found myself in doldrum grounds
But the madam wouldn't let me go until I had spent twenty pounds
Says I to myself: this'll never do, I'll jump this bark without delay
So I took a slant for the Well Street home from the rocks and shoals of Tiger Bay
[Chorus]
Now when I got back to the Well Street home I met my mate in the smoker there
He shouted: Jack, where the hell have you been? You seem to be in ballast there
I hung my head, not a word I'd say, I got me another ship that day
And if I ever go to London again I'll take another cruise down to Tiger Bay
[Chorus]
To all you young fellers in this room I've only got one word to say
Whenever you meet a pretty little maid just lead her gently by the way
There's many an ups and downs in the world, and many a pretty girl down the highway
But the prettiest ones that you'll ever see are the pilots down in Tiger Bay
[Chorus]
To you young ladies in this room I've only got one word to say
Whenever you meet a sailor hard up just give him a leg up on the way
For if you do you'll never rue he'll have some money another day
And he'll pay you back when he hoisted his Jack to a pilot down to Tiger Bay
[Chorus]