Jack Was Every Inch a Sailor [Early Version] lyrics

Upon the isle of Newfoundland there lived a sailor boy

He was a handsome sailor lad, his father's pride and joy

He was born on board his father's ship on a dark and stormy morn

And he helped the crew harpoon a whale on the day that he was born

Jack was every inch a sailor

Five and twenty years a whaler

Jack was every inch a sailor

He was born upon the bright blue sea

When Jack grew up to be a man he sailed from shore to shore

He sailed his ship around the world a dozen times or more

Harpooning whales was play to him for he was very strong

And he was also very tall and his beard was very long

Jack was every inch a sailor

Five and twenty years a whaler

Jack was every inch a sailor

He was born upon the bright blue sea

One night while Jack was standing watch a storm began to blow

It blew so hard that soon the ship was tossing to and fro

A great big wave rolled up to Jack and washed him to the rail

And he was tossed into the sea and swallowed by a whale

Jack was every inch a sailor

Five and twenty years a whaler

Jack was every inch a sailor

He was born upon the bright blue sea

Now when that whale had swallowed Jack it soon began to shake

For this old whale had got himself a mighty stomach ache

Well now, said Jack, this poor old whale don't know what he's about

And he grabbed that whale all by the tail and pulled him inside out

• Artist:Traditional Folk Songs, Other Languages