When I was a-fishing up in the Gulf
Out on the open sea
I think of those pretty girls back on shore
And wish that they were out here with me.

Chorus:
So Step on board (Step on board) the ocean liner,
Step on board without delay, me lads.
Step on board, there’s nothing finer,
And together we’ll sail away

Well I made up me mind to follow the waves
Hearing of good returns
And the very next morning I found myself trawling
And me stomach it began to churn.

Chorus

Well it’s seven cents a kilo for kings they said
Eight cents a kilo endeavors
And ten cents a kilo for tiger prawns
But for that they want the best out of you.

Chorus

Working twenty-bloody-four hours a day
With me eyes hanging out of me head
Twenty-fours hours barley making a wage
And wish that I was bloody-well dead.

Chorus

Well I‘m a long way from mother up here in the gulf
A long way from family
And I’m bloody long way from being a [tap dancer]
That me mother oh so wanted me to be.

Chorus

Well the Captain’s a big man, he stand so high
His head’s nearly touching the rigging
And the crew they’re all druggos and they’re so high
I think they’ve left the land of the living.

Chorus

Well we’re catching and shelling and sorting prawns
Till they bloody-well come out of our ears
And the cook gives me the chills in more ways than one
And I think I’m on my very last run.

Chorus X2