born of woman was a sailor for to be
Born to degradation in every degree
Of garden, mountain, gun drill,
He has so many masters that he
don't know whom to please
Home, boys, home, we're back in
The ash and the oak and the
Navy, but it's home we ought to be.
You go up to the captain if
You ask him for a leave for months
You write out your request for
him, he'll sign it if he can.
You can stay away and never come back,
that's where I want to be.
Home, boys, home, way back in
The ash and the oak and the
Navy, but it's home we ought to be
You go and see the paymaster if
you want to draw some pay
He'll work it out and he'll figure it,
it's marked from day to day
He'll pass you all the money with
All the money don't belong to him, so
that's where I want to be
Home, boys, home, way back in
Navy, but it's home we ought to be
if you're feelin' kinda ill
The doctor looks you over,
then you get the same ol' pill
If you die, the men salute,
they even call out the band
Navy's done its duty, so they
The ash and the oak and the
Navy, but it's home we ought to be
You go up to the chaplain when you
He'll teach you how to beat the rap
He'll under -rise your record
so you're clean as any lamb
boys, so we don't give a damn
that's where I want to be
Home, boys, home, way back in
The ash and the oak and the
Navy, but it's home for y 'all to be
