Lyrics Strike the Bell - Roy Harris

Aft on the poopdeck and walking about
There's the second mate so steady and so stout
What he is a-thinking of he doesn't know himself
We wish that he would hurry up and
Strike, strike the bell
Strike the bell, second mate
Let us go below
Look well to windward
You can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass
You can see that it has fell
We wish that you would hurry up
And strike, strike the bell

Down on the maindeck and working at the pumps
There's the starboard watch all a-longing for their bunks
Looking out a-windward they see a great swell
They're wishing that the second mate would
Strike, strike the bell

Strike the bell, second mate
Let us go below
Look well to windward
You can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass
You can see that it has fell
We wish that you would hurry up
And strike, strike the bell

Aft at the wheel poor Anderson stands
Grasping at the spokes with his cold, mittened hands
Looking at the compass oh the course is clear as hell
He's wishing that the second mate would
Strike, strike the bell

Strike the bell, second mate
Let us go below
Look well to windward
You can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass
You can see that it has fell
We wish that you would hurry up
And strike, strike the bell

Forward on the fo'c'sle head and keeping sharp lookout
Young Johnny standing ready for to shout
"Lights are burning bright, sir and everything is well"
He's wishing that the second mate would
Strike, strike the bell

Strike the bell, second mate
Let us go below
Look well to windward
You can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass
You can see that it has fell
We wish that you would hurry up
And strike, strike the bell

Aft on the quarterdeck the gallant captain stands
Looking out to windward a spyglass in his hand
What he is a-thinking of we know very well
He's thinking more of shortening sail than
Striking the bell

Strike the bell, second mate
Let us go below
Look well to windward
You can see it's going to blow
Look at the glass
You can see that it has fell
We wish that you would hurry up
And strike, strike the bell