Written by Robbie Smith
Lay another plank down boys – sing a shipyard shanty everyone
Lay another plank down boys, we’ll be tastin’ the rum when she’s done
When her seafaring life’s begun
We’ve been bending our backs all through the winter
Cutting the spruce, the oak and the fir
She has to be made of the finest timber
And twice as long as the other ones were
She’s a handsome schooner sound and sturdy
Built to rival the marblehead line
Pick up the pace for the sun sets early
And there’s extra pay if she’s finished on time
So, lay another plank down boys –
She’ll soon be ready for the springtime run
Lay another plank down boys –
For the quarterdeck’s nearly done, nearly done
It’s been nigh on a year since first we started
And many long days since we bolted the keel
It’s hard to believe we’ll soon be parted
When the captain comes to take hold of the wheel
But we’ll stand and watch her outline fading
Into the mists at the mouth of the bay
Roundin’ the cape and ridin’ the tradewinds
Gathering speed as she sails away-ay-hay-ay
Oh, lay another plank down boys –
As a merchant vessel she’ll be second to none
Lay another plank down boys –
It’s time for the last inspection
Lay another plank down boys –
She’ll be launched tomorrow with the rising sun
We’ll turn the capstan crank round boys
And we’ll give her soul to the ocean
Instrumental
Well, we’ve watched her grow from a stack of lumber
We’ve given her strength and we’ve given her form
I pray she’ll not be torn asunder
Out on a reef in the teeth of a storm
No, she’ll do us proud taking the breakers
Skirting the shoals through the billowing spray
Paying respect to her shore-bound makers
Long after we’ve all passed away-ay-hay-ay
So lay another plank down boys – sing a shipyard shanty everyone
Lay another plank down boys – we’ll be tastin’ the rum when she’s done
When her seafaring life’s begun – oh, when her seafaring life’s begun
Lay-ay-ay another plank down boys
Lay-ay-ay another plank down boys
(’Til her seafaring life’s begun)
Lay-ay-ay another plank down boys
(’Til her seafaring life’s begun)
Lay-ay-ay another plank down boys