The group has been performing locally since 1995, and signed a record deal with Universal Music in March 2010. Whilst essentially an a cappella group, their studio recordings and live performances now often include traditional simple instrumentation.
Sailor Ain’t A Sailor
The Fisherman's Friends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A sailor's life was very hard, the food was always bad;
But now I've joined the navy, I'm on board a man-o-war,
And now I find a sailor ain't a sailor any more!
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
If you see a sailing-ship, it might be your last;
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
The 'killick' of our mess, he says we've had it soft,
It wasn't like this in his day, when he was up aloft;
We like our bunks and sleeping bags, but what's a hammock for?
Swinging from the deckhead, or lying on the floor?
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
If you see a sailing-ship, it might be your last;
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
They gave us an engine that first went up and down,
Then with more technology the engine went around;
We're good with steam and diesel, but what's a mainyard for?
A stoker ain't a stoker with a shovel any more!
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
If you see a sailing-ship, it might be your last;
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
They gave us an Aldis Lamp, we can do it right,
They gave us a radio, we signal day and night;
We know our codes and ciphers, but what's a 'sema' for?
A 'bunting-tosser' doesn't toss the bunting any more!
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
If you see a sailing-ship, it might be your last;
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
Two cans of beer a day, that's your bleeding lot!
But now we gets an extra one because they stopped the tot;
So, we'll put on our civvy-clothes and find a pub ashore,
A sailor's still a sailor, just like he was before!
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
If you see a sailing-ship, it might be your last;
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
If you see a sailing-ship, it might be your last;
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
The Fisherman's Friends's song Sailor Ain’t A Sailor is a cheerful and lighthearted tune that plays with the idea of what it means to be a sailor. The song is presented as a dialogue between a young sailor and an older one, with the young sailor learning that the romanticized vision of being a sailor isn't all that it seems. The song highlights the modernization of the navy and how the lifestyle that goes with it has changed. The ship has an engine, so there is no need to climb up the mast or haul the rope. Sleeping bags have replaced hammocks and technology has replaced some of the more traditional methods of communication.
The song is also infused with a sense of humor, playfully poking fun at the traditional aspects of being a sailor that have been lost in modern times. References are made to what a sailor's life was like in the past and how it's changed, from the food being always bad to the tot being stopped. The final lines emphasize that even though many things have changed, sailors are still sailors at heart and enjoy a pint in the pub like they always have.
Overall, Sailor Ain’t A Sailor is a fun song that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a lighthearted look at the way things have changed over time, but there's still a sense of camaraderie and pride in being a sailor.
Line by Line Meaning
My father often told me, when I was just a lad,
The singer's father shared a truth about sailor life: it's hard and the food is bad.
A sailor's life was very hard, the food was always bad;
Sailor life is tough, with bad food as a daily reality.
But now I've joined the navy, I'm on board a man-o-war,
The singer is now a sailor in the navy, serving on a warship.
And now I find a sailor ain't a sailor any more!
Despite becoming a sailor, the artist realizes that the job has changed dramatically.
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
Sailors must be cautious and avoid risky actions.
If you see a sailing-ship, it might be your last;
Danger is always lurking, and any ship sighting could be a threat.
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
The sailors anticipate a shore leave.
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
Once, a sailor's responsibilities were specific and narrow; now they are many and much more diverse.
The 'killick' of our mess, he says we've had it soft,
An authority figure in the artist's area notes how easy the current batch of sailors has it.
It wasn't like this in his day, when he was up aloft;
In contrast, this former sailor recalls how things were harder in their day.
We like our bunks and sleeping bags, but what's a hammock for?
Modern sailors enjoy better accommodations than their predecessors.
Swinging from the deckhead, or lying on the floor?
The thought of going back to harsher conditions is less than ideal.
They gave us an engine that first went up and down,
Modern technology has made certain tasks easier for sailors.
Then with more technology the engine went around;
As technology continues to develop, the sailors' tools continue to change.
We're good with steam and diesel, but what's a mainyard for?
Despite their knowledge of modern equipment, the sailors lack expertise on older technology.
A stoker ain't a stoker with a shovel any more!
Modernization has brought about the obsolescence of certain jobs and responsibilities.
They gave us an Aldis Lamp, we can do it right,
Sailors are given new devices to do the same jobs, and they do it well.
They gave us a radio, we signal day and night;
Communication technology has been upgraded as well, allowing sailors to communicate more effectively.
We know our codes and ciphers, but what's a 'sema' for?
Despite their skills with modern tools, there are some terms and practices from the past that are unfamiliar.
A 'bunting-tosser' doesn't toss the bunting any more!
Even specialized roles like this are now redundant.
Two cans of beer a day, that's your bleeding lot!
The drinking habits of sailors have been strictly regulated.
But now we gets an extra one because they stopped the tot;
Recent changes have brought about slightly relaxed drinking restrictions.
So, we'll put on our civvy-clothes and find a pub ashore,
The sailors look forward to a night out after an extended period at sea.
A sailor's still a sailor, just like he was before!
Despite all the changes in the job, some aspects of being a sailor remain consistent.
Don't haul on the rope, don't climb up the mast,
Sailors must continue to be careful and aware.
If you see a sailing-ship, it might be your last;
The danger that comes with the job remains constant.
Get your civvies ready for another run ashore,
Despite the changes to sailor life, shore leave is still a cherished time.
A sailor ain't a sailor, ain't a sailor any more!
The artist reiterates the central theme: being a sailor has been redefined with the onset of modernization.
Contributed by Elena M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.