Post by Administrator on Oct 23, 2017 18:39:13 GMT
The 6 O`CLOCK SWILL
(In Australia/New Zealand)
Remember the `Down Under swill boys, when pubs were shut at six,
With only half a dog watch to drink our daily fix,
We grafted all day to earn our pay – seamen in our prime,
`Taws five p.m. `afore allowed to spend our social time.
With schooners of beer in excellent cheer we joined the other Abs,
From various craft with motley crews arrived from overseas,
The Shaw Saville ships or Blue Star and tramps the likes of Hain’s,
Among the vessels loading, or discharging under cranes.
Ale was shot into glasses from a tap on the end of a hose,
Held in a crate and paid for straight – then thrust to under your nose,
Our favourite tipple went down well, swilling and drinking apace,
Too soon, to soon, eight bells were struck – we had to get out of the place.
Carry out, carry out, the cry goes up so we ordered the best on the coast,
With beer on our hip and away from the ship we followed a willing host.
We revelled then and had our fill – perhaps stayed there ‘till morn,
Kissed the sheilas, bid farewell and back on board by dawn.
Another hard day but on the way to repeat a fine night a shore,
Showered and shaved in no time – then straight for the bar-room door.
So if you recall the fifties and the six o’clock swill like me,
Do you remember Auckland and ‘Ma Gleesons’ by the quay?.
Joe EARL
(In Australia/New Zealand)
Remember the `Down Under swill boys, when pubs were shut at six,
With only half a dog watch to drink our daily fix,
We grafted all day to earn our pay – seamen in our prime,
`Taws five p.m. `afore allowed to spend our social time.
With schooners of beer in excellent cheer we joined the other Abs,
From various craft with motley crews arrived from overseas,
The Shaw Saville ships or Blue Star and tramps the likes of Hain’s,
Among the vessels loading, or discharging under cranes.
Ale was shot into glasses from a tap on the end of a hose,
Held in a crate and paid for straight – then thrust to under your nose,
Our favourite tipple went down well, swilling and drinking apace,
Too soon, to soon, eight bells were struck – we had to get out of the place.
Carry out, carry out, the cry goes up so we ordered the best on the coast,
With beer on our hip and away from the ship we followed a willing host.
We revelled then and had our fill – perhaps stayed there ‘till morn,
Kissed the sheilas, bid farewell and back on board by dawn.
Another hard day but on the way to repeat a fine night a shore,
Showered and shaved in no time – then straight for the bar-room door.
So if you recall the fifties and the six o’clock swill like me,
Do you remember Auckland and ‘Ma Gleesons’ by the quay?.
Joe EARL