I left Cape Breton on a coal boat
for St. John's, Newfoundland
And I met a little girl named Sally
And I took her by the little white hand.
She shook her little head and said " no way,Fred.
I won't go along with your plan."
You've been workin' on the coal boat b'y
And yer nothin' but a dirty old man.
You've been workin' on the coal boat b'y
And yer nothin' but a dirty old man.
Spoken: Well, I had to think of somethin' real fast, ya know.
Yeah, well I'm gonna quit the dirty coal boat.
I wanna live in Newfoundland.
I'll buy a suit and get married
Put a ring upon yer little white hand.
She nodded her head and said " OK Fred."
Sally went along with the plan
But..
I'm still workin' on the coal boat b'y
And I'm nuthin' but a dirty old man.
I'm still workin' on the coal boat b'y
And I'm nuthin' but a dirty old man.
It was some time later on the coal boat
I got a little letter from home.
Sally said " Freddie was a good boy
But the little bugger wanted to roam."
She said " It's too bad he's got you for a dad
And I hope that ya feel real grand."
He's gone workin' on the coal boat b'y
To be just like his dirty old man.
He's gone workin' on the coal boat b'y
To be just like his dirty old man.
Well I left Cape Breton on the coal boat
For St. John's, Newfoundland
And good old Sally was a waitin'
And I took her by her little white hand.
She shook her little head and said " No way Fred.
I won't go along with yer plan.
You ain't gonna quit the coal boat b'y
Cause I love you. Ya dirty old man.
So come all young fellas on the coal boat,
I hope yer gonna understand.
If ya got a pretty little girlfriend
And ya take her by the little white hand.
If she turns her back and says " No way Jack.
I won't go along with yer plan."
Just keep workin' on the coal boat b'y
If ya wa wants to be a dirty old man.
Just keep workin' on the coal boat b'y
And you'll be nothin' but a dirty old man.