Decemberists Shanty For The Arethusa Lyrics

Shanty For The Arethusa Lyrics

We set to sail on a packet full of spice, rum and tea-leaves. 

We've emptied out all the bars and the bowery hotels. 

Tell your daughters do not walk the streets alone tonight 

Tell your daughters do not walk the streets alone tonight. 



To tell the tale of the jewess and the mandarin chinese boy 

He led her down from her gilded canopy of cloth. 

And through her blindfold she could make out the figures there before her 

And how the air was thick with incense, cardamom and myrrh. 



So goodnight, boys, goodnight 

Say goodnight, boys, goodnight 



We set to sail on the clipper that's bound for South Australia 

The weather's warm there, the natives are dark and nubile. 

But if you listen, quiet, you can hear the footsteps on the cross-trees 

The ghosts of sailors passed, their spectral bodies clinging to the shrouds.




So goodnight, boys, goodnight 

Say goodnight, boys, goodnight