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Handsome Cabin Boy

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Bbmixolydian

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Bb     Ab   Bb
[Verse]
It's just a pretty female, as Abyou may underBbstand
Her mind being bent for ramblEbing into a Abforeign Bbland
She dressed herself in sailor's clothes, or Ebso it Abdoes apBbpear
And she signed with a captain, to Abserve him for a Bbyear
[Verse]
The captain's wife, she being on board, she Abseemed in great Bbjoy
To think the captain had enEbgaged such a Abhandsome cabin Bbboy
And now and then she slipped him a kiss, and Ebshe would have Abliked to Bbtoy
But twas the captain found out the secret of the Abhandsome cabin Bbboy
[Verse]
Her cheeks they were like roses and her Abhair all in a Bbcurl
The sailors often smiled and said, he Eblooks just Ablike a Bbgirl
But eating of the captain's biscuit, her Ebcolour Abdid deBbstroy
And the waist did swell of pretty Nell, the Abhandsome cabin Bbboy
[Instrumental]
Bb     Ab   Bb
[Verse]
Twas down the Bay of Biscay our Abgallant ship did Bbplough
One night amongst the sailors, a Ebhelluva Abflurry and Bbrow
It tumbled the men from out their hammocks, their Ebsleep it Abdid deBbstroy
Terrible cursin' and a-groanin' of the Abhandsome cabin Bbboy
[Verse]
"Oh doctor dear, oh doctor," the Abcabin boy did Bbcry
"My time has come, I am undone and EbI must Absurely Bbdie"
The doctor come a-running and Ebsmiling Abat the Bbfun
For to think a sailor lad should have a Abdaughter or a Bbson
[Verse]
The sailors when they heard the news, they Aball did stand and Bbstare
The child belonged to none of them, they EbsolemnAbly did Bbswear
The captain's wife she says to him, "My Ebdear I Abwish you Bbjoy
For it's either you or I betrayed the Abhandsome cabin Bbboy"
[Verse]
Now sailors take your tot o' rum and Abdrink success to Bbtrade
And likewise to the cabin boy that was Ebneither Abman nor Bbmaid
Here's hoping the wars don't rise again, our Ebsailors Abto deBbstroy
And here's hoping for a jolly lot more, like the Abhandsome cabin Bbboy

All chords in this song (3)

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Handsome Cabin Boy

by Gordon Bok

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

Bb Ab Bb

[Verse]

Ab Bb

It's just a pretty female, as you may understand

Eb Ab Bb

Her mind being bent for rambling into a foreign land

Eb Ab Bb

She dressed herself in sailor's clothes, or so it does appear

Ab Bb

And she signed with a captain, to serve him for a year

[Verse]

Ab Bb

The captain's wife, she being on board, she seemed in great joy

Eb Ab Bb

To think the captain had engaged such a handsome cabin boy

Eb Ab Bb

And now and then she slipped him a kiss, and she would have liked to toy

Ab Bb

But twas the captain found out the secret of the handsome cabin boy

[Verse]

Ab Bb

Her cheeks they were like roses and her hair all in a curl

Eb Ab Bb

The sailors often smiled and said, he looks just like a girl

Eb Ab Bb

But eating of the captain's biscuit, her colour did destroy

Ab Bb

And the waist did swell of pretty Nell, the handsome cabin boy

[Instrumental]

Bb Ab Bb

[Verse]

Ab Bb

Twas down the Bay of Biscay our gallant ship did plough

Eb Ab Bb

One night amongst the sailors, a helluva flurry and row

Eb Ab Bb

It tumbled the men from out their hammocks, their sleep it did destroy

Ab Bb

Terrible cursin' and a-groanin' of the handsome cabin boy

[Verse]

Ab Bb

"Oh doctor dear, oh doctor," the cabin boy did cry

Eb Ab Bb

"My time has come, I am undone and I must surely die"

Eb Ab Bb

The doctor come a-running and smiling at the fun

Ab Bb

For to think a sailor lad should have a daughter or a son

[Verse]

Ab Bb

The sailors when they heard the news, they all did stand and stare

Eb Ab Bb

The child belonged to none of them, they solemnly did swear

Eb Ab Bb

The captain's wife she says to him, "My dear I wish you joy

Ab Bb

For it's either you or I betrayed the handsome cabin boy"

[Verse]

Ab Bb

Now sailors take your tot o' rum and drink success to trade

Eb Ab Bb

And likewise to the cabin boy that was neither man nor maid

Eb Ab Bb

Here's hoping the wars don't rise again, our sailors to destroy

Ab Bb

And here's hoping for a jolly lot more, like the handsome cabin boy

About Handsome Cabin Boy Chords by Gordon Bok

Learn how to play Handsome Cabin Boy by Gordon Bok with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Handsome Cabin Boy chords”, “Handsome Cabin Boy guitar chords”, or “Gordon Bok Handsome Cabin Boy chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Handsome Cabin Boy chords and for experienced players who want accurate Handsome Cabin Boy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bb, Ab, Eb.

FAQ — Handsome Cabin Boy by Gordon Bok

How do I play "Handsome Cabin Boy" by Gordon Bok on guitar?

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What key is "Handsome Cabin Boy" in?

The chords for "Handsome Cabin Boy" show the original chord names (including Bb, Ab, Eb). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.