The Wreck of the Athens Queen, by Stan Rogers

(Maybe better appreciated by Canadians, but I like to think this tribute to salvagers is universal.)

We were drinking down to Ready's place when first we heard the blow
It seemed to come from Ripper Rock, so boldly forth we go
And, sure enough, a rusty tub could just be barely seen
As her stern was high up in the air we made out "Athens Queen"
Oh, the lovely Athens Queen

Me boys, I must remind you, there's a bottle left inside
So let us go and have a few and wait until low tide
And if the sea's not claimed her when the glasses are licked clean
We will then set forth some dories, lads, and see what may be seen
On the lovely Athens Queen

Some songs and old tall stories then came out to pass the time
Nor could a single bottle keep us all until low tide
And so it was before we left the house we were at sea
So I scarcely can remember how we made the Athens Queen
Oh, the lovely Athens Queen

Oh, the waves inside me belly were as high as those outside
And though I'm never seasick I lost dinner overside
Twas well there was no crew to save, for we'd have scared 'em green
We could scarely keep ourselves from falling off the Athens Queen
Oh, the lovely Athens Queen

Well, Ready goes straight down below and comes up with a cow
"Hello" I said, "now what would you be wantin' with that now?
"You'll never take a cow home in a dory in such seas!"
"Well, me son," he says, "I've always fancied fresh cream in me tea"
Fore, the lovely Athens Queen!

I headed for the galley then, as I was rather dry
And glad I was to get there quick, for what should I espy?
Oh what a shame it would have been for to lose it all at sea
Forty cases of the best Napoleon brandy ever seen
On the lovely Athens Queen

I loaded twenty cases, boys, then headed for the shore
Unloaded them as quick as that and then pulled back for more
Smith was pulling for the shore but he could scarce be seen
Under near two hundred chickens and a leather couch of green
From the lovely Athens Queen

Well, here's to all good salvagers, likewise to Ripper Rock
And to Napoleon brandy, of which now we have much stock
We eat a lot of chicken and sit on a couch of green
And we wait for Riper Rock to claim another Athens Queen
Oh, the lovely Athens Queen

YouTube needs more San Rogers!

I don't think I have that song, though.