Outward Bound Poem by Cicely Fox Smith

We've painted the Ratcliff Highway red
To the tune of twelvemonth's pay -
We've cruised around from the 'Ship Aground'
To the shores of Tiger Bay,
We've stood our pals and we've kissed the gals
For a fortnight and a day . . .

But there's something gone wrong with the dance and song,
And there ain't no bite in the beer,
So,
I'll
sail to Vallipo, and you'll sail to Maine,
Coromandel, Callao, Perim, Port o' Spain,
Baltic way - down the Bay - up the China Seas -
Pernambuco, Providence, anywhere you please,
Don't matter where if it's far enough from here!

You can get your sea-chest out o' pawn,
Or leave it where it lies:
You can pay your shot (or maybe not),
You can leave your gal likewise,
With a 'Now, my dear, be of good cheer,
And wipe them blooming eyes' . . .

For we'll warp her out with a song and a shout,
And we'll give the tug a cheer,
And
I'll
sail to 'Frisco, and you to Callao,
Honolulu, Trinidad, Montevideo,
Baltic way - down the Bay - up the China Seas -
Pensacola, Palembang, anywhere you please,
Don't matter where if it's far enough from here!