Wee Pot Stove

[Verse 1]
How the winter blizzards blow
When the whaling fleet's at rest
Tucked in Leith Harbour's sheltered bay
Safely anchored ten abreast
The whalers at the station
As from ship to ship they rove
Carry little bags of coal with them
And a little iron stove

[Chorus]
In the wee dark engine room
Where the chill seeps in your soul
How we huddled roon' that wee pot stove
That burned oily rags and coal

[Verse 2]
Now fireman Paddy worked with me
On the engine stiff and cold
A stranger to the truth was he
There's not a lie he hasn't told
He boasted of his gold mines
And of hearts that he had won
And his bawdy sense of humor shone
Just like a ray of sun

[Chorus]
In the wee dark engine room
Where the chill seeps in your soul
How we huddled roon' that wee pot stove
That burned oily rags and coal

[Verse 3]
We laboured seven days a week
With cold hands and frozen feet
Ah, bitter days and lonely nights
Making grog and having fights
Salt fish and whale meat sausage
Fresh penguin eggs a treat
And we trudged along to work each day
Through icy winds and sleet

[Chorus]
In the wee dark engine room
Where the chill seeps in your soul
How we huddled roon' that wee pot stove
That burned oily rags and coal

[Verse 4]
Then one day we saw the sun
And the factory ship's return
Ah, meet your old friends, sing a song
Hope the season won't be long
Then homeward bound when it's over
And we'll leave this icy cove
But I always will remember
That little iron stove

[Chorus]
In the wee dark engine room
Where the chill seeps in your soul
How we huddled roon' that wee pot stove
That burned oily rags and coal