Lyrics:

Northerly, bobbing up and down, along with all the others;
Half of them have cousins in the town, and the other half are brothers.

And tonight, tonight they're all ashore.
When they've had enough to drink, they'll drink some more;
And that's what the old town's for.
Tonight's the night for drinking!

Southerly, and it's blowing up a gale from Portsmouth down to Dover;
There they are all supping up the ale until the storm is over.

And tonight, tonight they're all ashore.
When they've had enough to drink, they'll drink some more;
And that's what the old town's for.
Tonight's the night for drinking!

Easterly, and it's anybody's guess, and a few of them are out there hauling;
But most of them, they take a little rest when they hear Lord Nelson calling.

And tonight, tonight they're all ashore.
When they've had enough to drink, they'll drink some more;
And that's what the old town's for.
Tonight's the night for drinking!

Westerly, and nothing but the sound of a thousand seagulls screaming;
It's thirsty work, that bobbing up and down, so it's homeward bound they're steaming.

And tonight, tonight they're all ashore.
When they've had enough to drink, they'll drink some more;
And that's what the old town's for.
Tonight's the night for drinking!

Northerly, bobbing up and down, along with all the others;
Half of them have cousins in the town, and the other half are brothers.

And tonight, tonight they're all ashore.
When they've had enough to drink, they'll drink some more;
Who ever said Lord Nelson's dead?
Tonight's the night for drinking!