It's Christmas time
There's silence on the sea
It's christmastime
The bag's frozen in my tea
And all I want is something else to do
Than get lashed with me crew
It's hard to be a shantyman on Christmas

I should've known
My letters were in vain
'Cause santa's sleigh
Won't brave this shipping lane
Frozen ropes are all I have to hold
But nothing feels so cold
As being a shantyman on Christmas

I have the deck but there's no halls
No carols like a siren's call
No deer in sight, but rain it pours in droves
All year it's haul and pull and hoist
I'm losing hope; I've lost my voice
I sure could use some Christmas cheer back home

But alas!
It's christmastime
I fear just like the last
Put up my lights
And tinsel 'round the mast
Grin and try to find some yuletide cheer
But I can't find it here
It's hard to be a shantyman on Christmas
Woe is me, the shantyman on Christmas
So think about the shantyman this Christmas