Once there was a pirate-ship, being blown ashore—
    (Plitty soon pilum up, s’posee no can tack.
Seven-piecee stlong man pullum sta’boa’d oar.
    That way bling her head alound and sail-o back.)
But before, and before, and ever so long before
    Grand Commander Noah took the wheel,
The Junk and the Dhow, though they look like anyhow,
    Had rudders reaching deep below their keel—akeel—akeel!
As they laid the Eastern Seas beneath their keel!

Once there was a galliot yawing in a tide.
    (Too much foolee side-slip. How can stop?
Man catchee tea-box lid—lasha longaside.
    That way make her plenty glip and sail first-chop.)
But before, and before, and ever so long before
    Any such contrivances were used,
The whole Confucian sea-board had standardized the leeboard,
    And hauled it up or dropped it as they choosed—or chose—or choosed!
    According to the weather, when they cruised!

Once there was a caravel in a beam-sea roll—
    (Cargo shiftee—alla dliftee—no can livee long.
S’posum’ nail-o boa’d acloss—makee ploper hol’?
    That way, cargo sittum still, an’ ship mo’ stlong.)
But before, and before, and ever so long before
    Any square-rigged vessel hove in sight
The Canton deep-sea craft carried bulkheads fore and aft,
    And took good care to keep ’em water-tight—atite—atite!
    From Amboyna to the Great Australian Bight!

Once there was a sailor-man singing just this way—
    (Too muchee yowl-o, sickum best fiend!
Singee all-same pullee lope—haul and belay.
    Hully up and coilum down an’—bite off end!)
But before, and before, and ever so long before
    Any sort of chanty crossed our lips,
The Junk and the Dhow, though they look like anyhow,
    Were the Mother and the Father of all Ships—ahoy!—aships!
    And of half the new inventions in our Ships!
    From Tarifa to Formosa of our Ships!
        From Socotra to Selankhor of the windlass and the anchor,
    And the Navigators’ Compass on our Ships—ahoy!—our Ships!
(O, bully up and coilum down and bite off end!)