A daring young man swam round Brighton Beach Pier,
His name it was Charlie, so handsome and fair,
Around our fair Sussex coast he took the fresh air.
The first time he swam at four in the morn,
He was just in time to see the milkmaids come in,
They all gathered near and they cried with a cheer,
"Good luck to the swimmer, may you never know fear!"
(Chorus)
Drop line, let down your anchor, pull up your sails,
There's danger ahead, see the big fish with scales.
It's a fair wind today and the waters are warm,
Let the girls on the beach know there’s no need for alarm.
He swam through the waters, he floated with grace,
Until he came to the dangerous part of the race,
The waves, they grew higher, the sea roared with might,
"Save him!" cried the people; he still kept in sight.
(Chorus)
At length the rough channel was safely passed through,
And he soon gained the shore, the young ladies all knew.
How hard he had laboured to win the great prize,
For it must have been a race run for dear life it would seem.
(Chorus)
"I think, Mister Charlie, you’re a jolly fine bloke,
I’ll give you a kiss if you’ll give me a poke,
Come to me tonight and I’ll give you a treat,
With a big bowl of stew and some nice apple tart."
(Chorus)