Look at the glass you can see that it is fell, We wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell. Down on the main deck and workin' on the pumps, There's the starboard watch a-longin' for their bunks. Look out to windward and see a great swell, We wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell. Looks at the compass and the course is clear as hell, We wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell. Forward at the foc'sl' head and keeping sharp lookout, Yonder there is John a-ready for to shout.
Lights are burnin' bright sir and everything is well.
We wish that you would hurry up and strike, strike the bell. Out on the poop deck the gallant captain stands, Lookin' out to sea with a spyglass in his hands. What he is a-thinkin' of we know very well. He's thinking more of shortenin' sail than striking the bell.