Roger Hussey 2005
Hussey wrote on Mudcat: “Barry Finn was the first one who learned it — we used to sing it together, alternating verses, Wednesday nights at Cameron’s in Gloucester. The song depicts life on the Norwegian tanker Margaret Unstad, and several months of short back back-and-forth trips between Venezuela and Trinidad. The ship was owned by the husband of skating star Sonja Henie, and their alcoholic son (“Lars” in the song) shipped around with us all over the world. They say this chantey is being sung in England and Australia. There are two middle verses I rarely sing, cuz I think it makes the song go on too long. And the words and tune seem to be evolving over time — OK with me.”
On the Venezuela to Trinidad run Trinidad run Our ship goes to hell, we’re all having way to much fun Way to much fun Chorus Venezuela to Trinidad, Trinidad to Venezuela Venezuela is flamenco and hot guitar strums Trinidad is calypso and loud steel drum Carry crude oil to Trinidad refineries To Venezuela for more crude we run back empty For most tankers it’s long at sea short time in port But we’ve tied up long and our sea time is short When we tie up the bar girls and taxi cabs come Here comes a weekend of riot and rum Lars is locked in his cabin, the rich owner’s son He’s a drunken exile at 31 If we’re rowdy ashore we end up in jailÿ Rum and pesos from Lars and we’re soon out on bail Miss our sailing, hung over, roll over and then Wait a week, stay drunk, and our ship’s back again Beg the purser, please just one more advance What with girls and booze, your wallet does not stand a chance After 8 trips the chief’s at the end of his wits After 10 trips they send us back home to refitÿ So it’s pack up and back to the hiring hall And it’s farewell to flamenco and steel drums all