O, Renzo was no sailor,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
He was a stitchin' tailor,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
He was pressed on board a whaler,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
Where he was a hopeless failure.
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
The Captain gave him thirty,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
His daughter begged for mercy.
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
She took him to her cabin,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
Which got the crew a-jabbrin'.
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
She gave him cake and water,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
And a bit more than she ought to.
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
She gave him rum and whiskey,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
Which got him spry and frisky.
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
She taught him navigation,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
That cursed occupation.
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
Now Renzo is the skipper,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
Of a leaky Blackball clipper.
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
He's known wherever whalefish blow,
Renzo, boys, Renzo!
As the worst damned captain on the go.
Renzo, boys, Renzo!