Reuben Ranzo

Reuben Ranzo, he was a tailor, shipp'd at Wapping for a sailor,

But when the Captain cried "Belay!" Reuben ran and hid away;

And never was found until a Friday,

sitting in a corner spruce and tidy,

Which made the Captain say:

"Hello, Reuben, where ha' you been?"

Says Reuben: "Don't you know?

I've been sitting on my goose, for I ain't no mortal use,

When the stormy winds do blow! Ho - oh!

When the stormy winds do blow!"

So pitch'd him down to Cap'n Davy,

for he weren't no good for the British Navy,

When he got to Davy Jones,

and found him sitting in his old bare bones.

Says Reuben: "Sir, 'twould be a pleasure,

if you would let me take your measure!"

Which made old Davy say, "No! No!

Reuben, where ha' you been, if that is all you know!

We haven't any use for your scissors or your goose

For we don't wear clothes below! Ho - oh!

For we don't wear clothes below!"

So up went Reuben thro' the water,

saw his comrades on his quarter,

But when they shouted "Reuben, hi!",

he says: "I'm booked for the upper sky!"

And there all day he sits and stitches,

making the blue sky into breeches;

And a very good job, say I!

So, here's to Reuben! Long live Reuben!

As round the world he goes;

An' tho' we may be short of ships in many a port,

Well we shan't be short of clo-o'-oes!

Well we shan't be short of clo'es!