Barnacle Bill the Sailor

Transcribed from Louis Jordan's Elks Rendezvous Band, vocal by Louis Jordan, recorded December 20, 1938.
From Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five, 1934-1940; The Chronogical Classics, 636.

Who's that knocking at my door?
Who's that knocking at my door?
Who's that knocking at my door?
Said the fair young maiden!

Well, it's only me from over the sea,
Said Barnacle Bill the Sailor,
I'm all lit up like a Christmas tree,
Said Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
I'll sail the sea until I croak,
Drink my whiskey, swear, and smoke,
But I can't swim a bloody stroke,
Said Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

Tell me when we soon shall wed,
Tell me when we soon shall wed,
Tell me when we soon shall wed,
Said the fair young maiden.

Uh-uh!
I got me a wife in every port,
Said Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
The handsome gals is what I court,
Said Barnacle Bill the Sailor.
With my false heart and flattering tongue
I courts 'em all both old and young,
I courts 'em all, but marries none,
Said Barnacle Bill the Sailor.

So good-bye,
Good-bye,
So long, toots,
I'll see you again!

Published 8/14/99.

	ArtistSongAlbumComposerCompositionInstrument