Not Many Fish

Bbm Db From Mortlake to Mosman for thirty-five years Bbm Fm Gb In a twenty-six-footer I’ve sailed, Ebm Gb It paid for me grub and a couple of beers Db F But not now since the fishing has failed. Bbm Db There used to be blackfish; there used to be bream; Bbm Fm Gb And there used to be jewies to tame. Ebm Gb But now there’s old beer cans and polythene bags Db F And things too repulsive to name. Bb But the sun is still shining and the sky is still blue. Eb Bb You can still taste the salt on the spray. F Bb Eb Me lines are all baited and me net’s over too, Bb F Bb But there’s not many fish in the harbour today. Bbm Db Once the catches you’d get nearly made your boat sink Bm Fm Gb And the three of you filling the barge Ebm Gb But now all you get is a terrible stink, Db F With typhoid at no extra charge. Bbm Db What you need is a craft that can sail the high seas Bbm Fm Gb Where the herring and kingfishes play. Ebm Gb All you bring up in the harbour is dead dogs and cats, Db F Not to mention that Mrs Macrae. Bb But the sun is still shining and the sky is still blue. Eb Bb You can still taste the salt on the spray. F Bb Eb Me lines are all baited and me net’s over too, Bb F Bb But there’s not many fish in the harbour today. Bbm Db So go for a sail with your Sally and Sue. Bbm Fm Gb And take Roger and Rufus as well. Ebm Gb Remember to chuck your muck over the side, Db F Then complain of the hideous smell. Bbm Db Once a fisherman was known for not getting upset Bbm Fm Gb When he sailed through the wind and the rain, Ebm Gb But a man can’t but think when he’s sailing through this: Db F What a pity you can’t pull the chain. Bb But the sun is still shining and the sky is still blue. Eb Bb You can still taste the salt on the spray. F Bb Eb Me lines are all baited and me net’s over too, Bb F Bb But there’s not many fish in the harbour today.