The Twenty-Third of March

On the twenty-third of March, my boys
We hoisted our topsail
Crying, “Heaven above protect us
From the fierce and the icy gale.”
We never was downhearted
Nor let our courage fail
But bore away up to Greenland
For to catch the Greenland whale

[Refrain]
For to catch the Greenland whale

And when we come to Greenland
Where the bitter winds did blow
We tacked about all in the north
Among the frost and snow
Our finger tops was frozen off
And likewise our toe-nails
As we crawled on the deck, my boys
Looking out for the Greenland whale

[Refrain]
Looking out for the Greenland whale

And when we come in the Davis Street
Where the mountains flowed with snow
We tacked about all in the north
Till we heard the whalefish blow
And when we catch this whale, brave boys
Homeward we will steer
We'll make them valleys ring, my boys
A-drinking of strong beer
We'll make them lofty ale-houses
In London town to roar
And when our money is all gone
To Greenland go for more, brave boys
To Greenland go for more