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Where Did You Last See Charley Noble

Words by: Judy Barrows © 2005

Tune: traditional after "What Do You Do with a Drunken Sailor"

Key: Arrgh

Printable Version ~ PDF ~ Notes

The bosun gave me a piece of paper
Very important piece of paper
The bosun gave me a piece of paper
Said to take it to Charley Noble

Chorus:
Where did you last see Charley Noble?
Where did you last see Charley Noble?
Where did you last see Charley Noble?
Tell me where to find him.

Think he's reefing the main t'gan'sail (x3)
That is where you will find him.

Been up to the t'gan'sail and he ain't up there (x3)
That's not where to find him. (chorus)

He's down below scrubbing the bilge out (x3)
That is where you will find him.

Been down to the bilge and he ain't down there (x3)
That's not where to find him. (chorus)

He's out on the bowsprit polishing the figurehead (x3)
That is where you will find him.

Been out to the bowsprit and he ain't out there (x3)
That's not where to find him. (chorus)

He's up in the crow's nest checking for eggs (x3)
That is where you will find him.

Been up to the crow's nest and he ain't up there (x3)
That's not where to find him. (chorus)

Maybe he's safe with the gals ashore (x3)
That is where you will find him.

He can't get to shore and we can't neither (x3)
That's not where to find him. (chorus)

Go down to the galley and ask old Cookie (x3)
Maybe he can find him.

I showed the cook my piece of paper
Very important piece of paper
The cook he took my piece of paper
And threw it in the fire!

Why'd you go and burn up my paper (3x)
It's for Charley Noble.

Cook he thumped on the big old smokestack (3x)
Said "This here's Charley Noble!"

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Notes:

The Legend of Charley Noble – There are several theories as to how the galley smokestack came to be known as "Charley Noble" – perhaps after an early manufacturer of the metal stacks that were such a vast improvement over the wooden stacks on earlier boats, or perhaps after a captain who was a little too obsessed about keeping the smokestack shining. It was a common prank to send new hands on arduous (and quite ludicrous – if they but knew all the facts) missions – such as the search for Charley Noble, who had always "just left" whatever corner of the ship the hapless recruit was searching, headed as far as possible in another direction.

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