The Swallow

A big tin box of books and writing paper

(A small aneroid barometer)

And other things that need to be kept dry

(Like nightclothes)

I won it as a prize at school

(Three biscuit tins with bread and tea and...)

Salt and bread, lots and lots of eggs

(Separately wrapped for fear of smashing)

A frying pan, a saucepan, and a kettle

(Lots of plates and spoons and forks and...)

Two ground sheets with tents wrapped up inside

(A seedcake)

A long coil of stout grass rope

(Two sacks stuffed with blankets and rye)

Tins of corned beef, tins of sardines

I think we have all that we need

Swallow

I don't know what I would do

Without you

There's barely a day that goes by

I don't picture you in my mind

And smile

Swallow

Swallow

I almost think you're alive

Sometimes

When I am lost and confused

You seem to know what to do

Don't you?

Swallow

Hoist up the mainsail

Haul in the anchor

Make fast the halyard

Let go the painter

It's time we put to sea

And set The Swallow free

Farewell, and adieu to you

Fair Spanish ladies

Adieu, and farewell to you

Ladies of Spain

For we're under orders to

Sail to Old England

And we'll never see all you

Ladies again

We'll rant and we'll roar just like

True British sailors

We'll range and we'll row over

All the saltseas

Until we strike soundings for

The English Channel

[UNCLEAR - Please, if anyone knows this line, add it!]

Thirty-five Leagues

Swallow

The wind blows fair in the East

Feel the breeze

Show them that you're the best boat

Ever to be set afloat

Show them

Swallow

Swallow

We'll follow you to the end

Of the world

And now that the wind's in your sails

We know that you'll never fail

Let's go

Swallow

Hoist up the mainsail

Haul in the anchor

Make fast the halyard

Let go the painter

It's time to put to sea

And set The Swallow free