Whale of a Tale

Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads A whale of a tale or two 'Bout the flappin' fish and the 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 tattoo There was Mermaid Minnie Met her down in Madagascar She would kiss me Any time I'd up and ask her Then one day, her flame of love got out For, blow me down and pick me up (I swapped him for a trout!) Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads A whale of a tale or two 'Bout the flappin' fish and the 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 tattoo There was Typhoon Tessie (Met him 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 flappin' fish and the 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 tattoo There was Harpoon Hannah Had a look that spelled out danger My heart quivered, when she whispered ("Hi there, stranger") Bought her trinkets that 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 flappin' fish and the 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 tattoo...!