Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads

A whale of a tale or two

'Bout the flapping fish and girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale and it's all true,

I swear by my tatoo



There was Mermaid Minnie

Met her down in Madagascar

She would kiss me

Anytime that I would ask her

Then one evening

Her flame of love blew out

Blow me down and pick me up,

She swapped me for a trout!



Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads

A whale of a tale or two

'Bout the flapping fish and girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale and it's all true,

I swear by my tatoo



There was Typhoon Tessie

Met her on the coast of Java

When we kissed I

Bubbled up like molten lava

Then she gave me

The scare of my young life

Blow me down, and pick me up

She was the captain's wife!



Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads

A whale of a tale or two

'Bout the flapping fish and girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale and it's all true,

I swear by my tatoo



Then there was Harpoon Hannah

Had a look that spelled out danger

My heart quivered when she whispered,

"I'm there, stranger"

Bought her trinkets

That sailors can't afford

(Sailors can't afford)

And when I spent my last red cent

She tossed me overboard!



Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads

A whale of a tale or two

'Bout the flapping fish and girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale and it's all true,

I swear by my tatoo!