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