Whidbey Island Overwater Transfer Ferry Line

she’s comin’ in cuttin’ ‘cross the Sound
and she rattles and she rumbles as she rolls, good god
she’s worthy, she ain’t never run a-ground
she got pulp putty pluggin’ up the holes, good god
she’s a mighty bit unsteady
and she coughs when she gets cold
but she’s well put together
all the better when she gets old
she runs on bourbon and boiler steam and it suits her just fine
she’s the Whidbey Island Overwater Transfer Ferry Line

she gets washed in the water at the cross
and she leaps and she lurches as she goes, good god
she got direction, she don’t never get lost
they blindfold and lead her by the nose, good god
she gets twisted and unruly
and they try to calm her down
she’s a little less than able
but she’s the finest ship around
she’s a mighty bit uncertain but she’s always on time
she’s the Whidbey Island Overwater Transfer Ferry Line

all hale the captain at the head
for he staggers as he clutches to the rail, good god
he has knotted up the mast to make his bed
he’s been on every ship that’s ever been a-sail, good god
he’s and old salt hustler
and a half back oiler
he’s a mighty bit punchy
he been gassin’ up the boiler
he’s got a full head of steam up blowin’ salt water brine
on the Whidbey Island Overwater Transfer Ferry Line

all hands hit the deck out in a fog
and they’re tuggin’ and a-leanin’ on the line, good god
and she shudders as she bumps up on the logs
and they’re twistin’ and a-tightenin’ on the twine, good god
and the clangin’ of the chain pins
and the bangin’ of the landing
it’s a miracle she made it
it’s a wonder she’s still standing
she could go down like a boulder but nobody never minds
she’s the Whidbey Island Overwater Transfer Ferry Line