[Verse 1]
Once there was a barge lad
Way up atop the mast
Shouting to the skipper
"We've made it home at last"
Well, I was that barge lad
Way up atop the mast
Now I'm the skipper and that young nipper
Had better be holding fast

[Chorus]
Oh we're loaded down, with bales so high
You've got to lean backwards
If you want to see the sky
Oh, the Thames may forgive us
But the Alde never will
So eyes front and away we sail

[Verse 2]
Oh, you've got to be able
Way up atop the mast
Your legs better be nimble
And your head better think fast
Well, I was that able
Way up atop the mast
Now I'm the skipper and that young nipper
Is hearty enough to last
[Chorus]
Oh we're loaded down, with bales so high
You've got to lean backwards
If you want to see the sky
Oh, the Thames may forgive us
But the Alde never will
So eyes front, keep your head, and away we sail

[Verse 3]
Oh, you've eyes like an eagle
Way up atop the mast
Spotting all the obstacles
That come across your path
Well, I was that eagle
Way up atop the mast
But now I'm the skipper and that young nipper
Will keep us from taking a bath

[Chorus]
Oh we're loaded down, with bales so high
You've got to lean backwards
If you want to see the sky
Oh, the Thames may forgive us
But the Alde never will
So eyes front, keep your head, clear your throat, and away we sail
[Verse 4]
Oh, you've got to remember
Way up atop the mast
Knowing all the river routes
That you never learn from the charts
Well, I do remember
Way up atop the mast
But now I'm the skipper and that young nipper
Is taking the rivers to heart

[Chorus]
Oh we're loaded down, with bales so high
You've got to lean backwards
If you want to see the sky
Oh, the Thames may forgive us
But the Alde never will
So eyes front, keep your head, clear your throat, know your way, fill your pipe, grab on tight, look for the lights and away we sail