The Warning Flags were up that night
there blew a fearsome gale.
A stranger at the Yacht Club bar
began an awful tale.
I'll tell you about the flotsam class
which set out on a race.
From Ravage Quay straight out to sea
and twice around the place.
The first craft at the halfway mark
was Grubby Jean the third
One -tenth the length behind her
swept the gallant Thunderbird
Twelve others trailed by quarter -miles
while the poor old drinking gourd
Was staggering so far behind
we thought she still was bored
The Thunderbird came tacking down
and passed the Grubby Jean
Her skipper Johnny Pizer,
but a lad of seventeen,
His youthful indiscretion
caused the judge to snort aloud,
He put his fingers to his nose
and scandalized the crowd.
The stranger took another drink
and heaved a fearful sigh
We yachtsmen stood in silence,
round a tear in every eye
And as the tale began again,
no man dared laugh or joke
The stranger's heart,
we all could tell,
was very nearly broke
Well, then suddenly from nowhere near
a third boat did appear
The drinking gourd come in to view,
her speed caused all to cheer
She overhauled the grubby jean,
she passed the Thunderbird
And Johnny Pizer cursed aloud,
it's good he wasn't hurt
Well when the race was over
we all rushed with wild surmise
To learn the mighty secret
which had won the gourd her prize
Her smirking captain faced the crowd,
it's simple but it's fine
We simply took a good long breath
and blew her across the line
The stranger paused,
I'll tell you who I am,
and whence I came
I'm just a crazy sailing man,
John Pizer was my name
I tried the trick to no avail,
I've blown with all my might
He gasped,
and he fell dead across the bar,
And we all drank tea that night.