Heading for Antarctica (Dec 66)
Written aboard the Royal Research Ship "John Biscoe" before I had set foot
on the continent. A rugged explorers song telling the tale of the journey
south!
With a tuneful tale I'll you entice
Of lads who could the main brace splice
They southward sailed in search of ice
Heading for Antarctica
'Twas late October of the year
John Biscoe left Southampton pier
We left out friends and homes most dear
Heading for Antarctica
Now the Biscay causes much alarm
Where storms have brought great ships to harm
But the John B made those waters calm
Heading for Antarctica
In tropic seas which know no grey
We watched the flying fish at play
And slept on deck both night and day
Heading for Antarctica
For days we sailed the ocean blue
With nothing much at all to do
The sea and the sky our only view
Heading for Antarctica
With fuel, food and water down
We stopped at Montevideo town
So hopped ashore to look around
A rest en route for Antarctica
Now some walked round with cameras 'tis said
Others sat down and on steak were fed
But most drank beer with a girl in bed
Last chance before Antarctica
Two days out and the tourists felt best
The gourmets' bellies were put to the test
But the others were drunk and needed a rest
Worn out en route for Antarctica
To the Falkland Islands was a four day run
Where the Governor's maid tried for some fun
But we heaved sandbags by the ton
They were needed for Antarctica
At the Governor's house don't you make a slip
Be careful how your drink you sip
We all preferred the "Globe" and the "Ship"
For refreshment for Antarctica
For girlfriends we could only yearn
Now they were all left far astern
Sailing south we did not turn
Heading for Antarctica
The air grew chill, the nights grew short
And gloves and woollies out were brought
For penguin, whale and seal we sought
Heading for Antarctica
At last the ice edge came in sight
First ahead, then left and right
And so we hove to for the night
Stopped before Antarctica
The icebergs grew from day to day
Their size and beauty is hard to say
Through heavy pack we pushed our way
Slowly to Antarctica
Now blizzards roar o'er ice and snow
Are we hard lads? No we're here for the dough
And we've got two more damn years to go
To hell with cold Antarctica!