trad
Collected from John Short by Cecil Sharp in 1914. There is disagreement among other sources what kind of work the shanty was for, and whether it was for a return home or an outward bound trip.
Gawler Family: https://thegawlerfamily.bandcamp.com/track/one-more-day
Don’t you hear the old man growling (one more day)
And don’t you hear the mate a howling (one more day)
Don’t you hear the capstan pawling (one more day)
And don’t you hear the pilot bawling (one more day)
Chorus:
It’s only one more day, me Johnnies, one more day
Come rock and roll me over, one more day
It’s only one more day a-howling
And can’t you hear the gals a-calling
It’s only one more day a-furling
And only one more day a-cursing
Heave and sight the anchor, me Johnny
We’re close aboard to port, me Johnny
Put out your long-tail blue, me Johnny
The trip is nearly through, Johnny
There’s only one more day a-pumping
There’s only one more day a-bracing
Well we’re homeward bound today, Johnny
Well we’ll leave her without sorrow, Johnny