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Bell Bottom Trousers
(traditional sea shanty)

Standard Version

VERSE	I was a serving maid down in Drury Lane, Me master he was good to me, me mistress was the same. When along came a sailor on shore on liberty, And oh, to me woe, he took liberties with me.
CHORUS	Singing bell-bottom trousers, coats of navy blue, Let him climb the rigging, like his daddy used to do.
VERSE	It was at a ball I met him, he asked me for to dance, I knowed he was a sailor by the way he wore his pants, His shoes were neatly polished, his hair was neatly combed, And when the ball was over, he asked to see me home.
VERSE	He asked me for a handkerchief to tie around his head, He asked me for a candle to light his way to bed. I, a foolish maiden, not thinking it no harm, I jumped into the sailor's bed to keep the sailor warm.
VERSE	I knowed he was no Samson, but that night we went to town, He laid me on the bed there till me blue eyes turned to brown. And early the next morning, before the break of day, A twelve-pound note he gave to me, these warning words did say.
VERSE	He said, "Take this, me darling, for the damage I have done, For you may have a daughter, or you may have a son. Well, if you have a daughter, then jounce her on your knee, And if you have a son, well send the bastard out to sea."
VERSE	Now listen all you maidens to me girlish plea, Don't ever let a sailor get his hand above your knee. Oh, I trusted one once, and he put out to sea, And left me with a daughter for to bounce upon me knee.

First Alternative Version

VERSE	Once there was a waitress in the Prince George Hotel, Her mistress was a lady and her master was a swell. They knew she was a simple girl and lately from the farm. And so they watched her carefully to keep her from all harm.
CHORUS	Singing bell bottom trousers, coat of navy-blue. Let him climb the rigging like his daddy used to do.
VERSE	The Forty Second Fusiliers came marching into town. And with them came a complement of rapists of renown. They busted every maidenhead that came within their spell. But they never made the waitress from the Prince George Hotel.
VERSE	Next came a company of the Prince of Wales' Hussars They piled into the whore house and they packed along the bars. Many a maid and mistress and wife before them fell. But they never made the waitress from the Prince George Hotel.
VERSE	One day there came a sailor, just an ordinary bloke A-bulging at the trousers with a heart of solid oak. At sea without a woman for seven years or more. There wasn't any need to ask what he was looking for.
VERSE	He asked her for a candlestick to light his way to bed. He asked her for a pillow to rest his weary head. And speaking to her gently just as if he meant no harm. He asked her if she'd come to bed just so's to keep him warm.
VERSE	She lifted up the blanket and a moment there did lie. He was on her; he was in her in the twinkling of an eye. He was out again, and in again, and plowing up a storm. And the only words she said to him: "I hope you're keeping warm."
VERSE	Then early in the morning the sailor he arose Saying here's a two pound note, my dear, for the damage I have done. If you have a daughter, bounce her on your knee. If you have a son, send the bastard out to sea.
VERSE	Now there she sits upon the dock, a baby on her knee A-waiting for the Navy ships a-coming home from sea Waiting for the jolly tars in Navy uniform And all she wants to do, me boys, is keep the Navy warm

Second Alternative Version

VERSE	Once I thought this sailor boy ought to have a wife Wanted to get settled down to a quiet life I went out with every girl that I could afford Never reached the altar 'cause I went so overboard
CHORUS	Bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue I'm still a sailor single through and through
VERSE	Met a girl named Annabelle, met her in the park Hugged and kissed her through the night 'cause it was so dark But when morning came along I got such a shock She was tall and skinny and her face would stop a clock
VERSE	I went out with Emmaline, innocent and pure She was so respectable, modest and demure When I got aboard my ship much to my dismay She had stolen everything and even my toupee
VERSE	I wrote letters to a girl I had yet to see She declared her love was true and she'd wait for me When our ship got into port how the sailors shoved There were forty other guys a-wanting to be loved

Also check out this version in Polish! Taken from here, here, here, here, hereand here.

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