Lick and wash

She’s grinding full stretch at the rivets today,

      ratchet a notch, ratchet a notch

but she’s scarce in commission; her refit’s away.

       ratchet a notch, hurray!

We’re hurrying eastwards, there’ll be no delay,

for the bait has been laid and our cats’ll dismay

the mouse trapped in his rigging – they’re dying to play.

       ratchet a notch, hurray!

This bucket’s gone bust, so we’ll truss her up fast

      ratchet a notch, ratchet a notch

in her slap through the straits; this run’s not her last.

      ratchet a notch, hurray!

Mouse down, there’s a neighbouring rat to be cast

out from the bilges; the vermin’s outclassed

by our felines’ white fury – they’re on a blast

      ratchet a notch, hurray!

Before our bold scuttle-bus topples a-lee,

      ratchet a notch, ratchet a notch

We’ll do for that plague in the far eastern sea.

      ratchet a notch, hurray!

We’ll unmuzzle our beasts: they’ll collar the flea

In mid-hop; it’s time we ignored its plea.

We’re wanting our tea in our homeland quay.

      ratchet a notch, hurray!