Jane: Billy McCoy was a musical boy.
On the cruiser Alabama he was there on that "piana"
Like a fish down in the sea.
Oh When he rattled of some harmony.
Every night out on the ocean he would get that raggy notion,
Start that syncopated motion lovingly.
No one could sleep way out there on the deep,
When Billy cut loose out at sea.
Jane: Each fish and worm begins to twist and squirm,
The ship starts in to dip and does a corkscrew turn;
Just see that smoke so black sneak from that old smoke stack!
It's floatin' right to heaven and it won't come back;
Now here and there you'll see a stool and chair
A slippin' 'round the cabin shoutin' "I don't care!"
And then the hammock starts a swingin' and the bell begins a ringin'
While he's sittin' at that "piano", there on the Alabama,
Playin' the Oceana Roll.
All: Each fish and worm begins to twist and squirm,
The ship starts in to dip and does a corkscrew turn;
Just see that smoke so black sneak from that old smoke stack!
It's floatin' right to heaven and it won't come back;
Now here and there you'll see a stool and chair
A slippin' 'round the cabin shoutin' "I don't care!"
And then the hammock starts a swingin' and the bell begins a ringin'
While he's sittin' at that "piano", there on the Alabama,
Playin' the Oceana Roll.
Jane: Every time he sits down at the piano stool
People start a shoutin’ “You’re a playin’ fool!”
But he is the master of the razzmatazz
He’s known to everyone as mister Jazz
When he gets a going with a real hot phrase
Even baby Josie gives a shim and shake
Oh Papa do declare – when he’s a there
“Oh what a lot of music he can make.”
Oh listen hear, and lend an ear,
Oh listen hear and lend an ear and lend an ear
Doo doot doo doo doodn doodeadoo,
slippin' 'round the cabin shoutin' "I don't care!"
And then the hammock starts a swingin' and the bell begins a ringin'
While he's sittin' at that "piano",
there on the Alabama,
Playin' ………………the Oceana Roll. Da doo dewaaaaaa.
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Lyrics submitted by Roger Wooller.