Captain Tall, best man I met
Lively lads look lively
Give you a trip you’ll never forget
Lively lads look lively
He’s the man for the Southern coast
Pray to God and the Holy Ghost
Lively lads look lively
That’s the cry from Captain Tall
Lively lads look lively
That’s the cry to drive us all
Lost more ships than I can tell
Made amends as you know well
Ran ashore to save the crew
Found an unknown rock or two
[Chorus]
Rescued one, a forlorn hope
Patched her up with tar and rope
River steamers, devils work
Landed him in Dunedin court
[Chorus]
Back at sea he’s timber trading
Every voyage fully laden
Double lash the cargo
We’re off to North Otago
[Chorus]
Black Nor-easter we all hate
But Captain Tall’s not one to wait
Rain and snow and driving hail
You might live to tell the tale
[Chorus]