John Kanaka

(Trad)

 

Oh I heard, I heard the old man say

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

Today, today is a holiday

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

Tu-lai-ay, oh Tu-lai-ay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

We’ll work tomorrow, but no work today

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

Today, today is a holiday

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

Tu-lai-ay, oh Tu-lai-ay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

We’re outward bound for ‘Frisco Bay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

We’re outward bound at break of day

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

Tu-lai-ay, oh Tu-lai-ay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

We’re outward bound from London town

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

Where all the Judies they come down

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

Tu-lai-ay, oh Tu-lai-ay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

We’re bound away around Cape Horn

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

Where you wish to Christ you’d not been born

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

Tu-lai-ay, oh Tu-lai-ay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

We’re a Yankee ship with a Yankee crew

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

And we’re the boys to kick her through

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

Tu-lai-ay, oh Tu-lai-ay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

We’re a Yankee ship with a Yankee mate

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

Stop to walk and he’ll change your gait

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

Tu-lai-ay, oh Tu-lai-ay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

And when we get to ‘Frisco Bay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

We’ll pay off ship and draw our pay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

Tu-lai-ay, oh Tu-lai-ay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

So haul, oh haul, oh haul away

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

Haul away and make your pay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay

 

Tu-lai-ay, oh Tu-lai-ay

John Kanaka-naka, tu-lai-ay