Chicken on a Raft

Composed by singer, songwriter, and naval submariner Cyril Tawney of Gosport, Hampshire. Tawney wrote the song around 1967 but didn't release a recording until his album *Sally Free and Easy* in 1989.

In their stream in February 2019, JD mentioned that the Longest Johns' arrangement of "Chicken on a Raft" differs from the more common arrangement used by some other folk groups, in that it excludes a chord that breaks up the chorus.

### Factoids

**Chicken on a Raft** is slang for a fried egg on toast.

**Comic Cuts** was a British comic magazine published 1890-1953.

**Dabtoe**: A seaman or member of the Ops Branch

**Donnie-B**: the Donibristle house near Royal Naval Dockyard, Rosyth

**Dustman**: A sailor of the naval stores rating

**Forenoon**: The watch shift from 0800-1200

**Jimmy**: The first lieutenant

**Middle**: The watch shift from 0000-0400

**Wardroom**: The officer's mess (dining room)

## Lyrics

These lyrics are based on the version performed by the Longest Johns in their livestreams. The original lyrics can be found here.

>
> Skipper in the wardroom drinkin' gin
>
> (Hi-yo, chicken on a raft)
>
> I don't mind knockin', but I ain't goin' in
>
> (Hi-yo, chicken on a raft)
>
> The jimmy's laughin' like it'd rain
>
> (Hi-yo, chicken on a raft)
>
> He's lookin' at me *Comic Cuts* again
>
> (Hi-yo, chicken on a raft) [continues throughout]
>
>
>
> {Chorus}
>
> Hey! Chicken on a raft on a Monday morning
>
> Oh, what a terrible sight to see
>
> Dabtoe's for'ard and the dustman's aft
>
> Sittin' there pickin' at a chicken on a raft
>
> Hi, ho, chicken on a raft
>
> Hey, ho, chicken on a raft
>
> Hi, ho, chicken on a raft
>
> Hey, ho, chicken on a raft
>
>
>
> They gave me the middle and the forenoon, too
>
> Now I'm pullin' on a whalers crew
>
> Seagulls wheelin' overhead
>
> I should be sleepin' in me featherbed
>
>
>
> {Chorus}
>
>
>
> An Amazon girl lived in Dumfries,
>
> Only had her kids in the twos and threes
>
> Her sister lives in Maryhill
>
> She says she won't but I think she will
>
>
>
> {Chorus}
>
>
>
> I had a little girl in Donny-B
>
> And did she make a fool of me
>
> Am I that one she loves the best
>
> Or am I just a cuckoo in another man's nest?
>
>
>
> {Chorus}
>
>
>
>

## Recordings

#### YouTube Videos

* What Happens When Shanty Singers Play Raft

#### Gig Videos

* Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival 2014

#### Full Band Streams

* The Longest Johns and Friends, February Edition (New donation system) (27 Feb 2019)
* Singing Live Stream and Special Announcement... (7 Aug 2019)
* Welcome to a New Decade with The Longest Johns (22 Jan 2020)
* Carry On My Wayward Stream (16 Sep 2020)
* Amazing Technicolor Stream-coat!! (7 Jul 2021)
* Stream of Mushroom Soup (23 Nov 2021)
* Davestream Beleaver (30 May 2023)

#### Chill Streams

* Welcome to the Chilldome! Playing mostly folk music... - 20/04/2020

#### Gaming Streams

* Sail and Sing! Sea of Thieves Stream - 18/05/2020
* \*bangs table\* boat boat dogs vaults sing boat! - 11/09/2020
* Sea of Sings! with KroTukk! SHANT! - 3/11/2020
* Music and boats and stuff - 13/12/2020
* Season 2 of Sings! - 19/04/2021
* Four men and a baby. (The baby is our ship) - 10/05/2021

1. ↑ https://www.comics.org/series/62128/