Settling Day Keith Gay
Steaming up the Humber with the tide,
Spurn Point behind us, Fish Dock alongside:
We’ve a thousand kit in hand, the only ship to land;
Made a bob or two on settling day.
Wife and bains are waiting on the quay;
They’re dressed up, oh, they’re waiting there for me,
Proud to see their skipper dad, wondering what’s the trip he’s had;
Made a bob or two on settling day.
Bobbers early doors unloading from the hatch,
The merchants bidding on their special catch;
Gaffers hope they got it right, we’ll have a few bob tonight;
Made a bob or two on settling day
Three days out, there’s three days on the way,
No time to catch up with the wasted days;
Too much money and time on drink, leaving those at home to think;
Made a bob or two on settling day
Make it up to them just you wait and see;
Backhanders, oh, we’ll rig ’em out for free:
I’ll help me mates who are out of pay, they’ll do the same for me some day;
Made a bob or two on settling day.
And cowboy boots and cowboy records too,
And see a John Wayne movie, well, maybe see a few;
The western life is sure for me, then risking me life at sea;
Made a bob or two on settling day.
Go all posh and we’ll move to Anlaby,
And stop living on Road, leave fish smell behind me;
With outside lavvy and owld back yard, give the bains a better start,
It’ll cost a bob or two on settling day.
Steaming up the Humber with the tide
Spurn Point behind us, Fish Dock alongside:
Well we’ve a thousand kit in hand, we’re the only ship to land;
Made a bob or two on settling day,
Spent a bob or two on settling day,
And drank a bob or two on settling day.