CAPTAIN GINGAH O. T.
(George Barstow / F W Leigh 1910)

George Barstow
recorded 1911


A soldier once was I, and by george, much admired,
The army lost a treasure on the day that I retired!
They begged of me to leave, asked it as a boon,
They said my fiery whiskers made the guns go off too soon!
But dammit, peace or war, to me it's all the same,
The ladies, bless 'em, mashing 'em has always been my game!
Mashed 'em years ago, now I'm in my prime,
I'm known as Ginjah, Captain Ginjah, Ginjah all the time.

Ginjah, Ginjah, they all know Captain Ginjah,
Jolly old pot, O. T. 'ot,
Ninety five in the shade, what what!
And I love the ladies, not one of them would I injure,
All the girls are fond of Gin,
Gin-Gin-Gin-Gin-Ginjah!

When I look back and think, tut-tut what sport I've had,
In certain quarters I'm afraid my reputation's bad!
While strolling through the park, or riding in the Row,
I merely have to be polite to ladies whom I know.
"Ah Countess, how-de-do!", I knew her when a girl,
Sang in comic opera long before she met the Earl.
And there's the Duchess, oh, I nearly made a fluke,
We never speak as we pass by, it might upset the Duke!

Ginjah, Ginjah, they all know Captain Ginjah,
Jolly old pot, O. T. 'ot,
Ninety five in the shade, what what!
And I love the ladies, not one of them would I injure,
All the girls are fond of Gin,
Gin-Gin-Gin-Gin-Ginjah!

Ginjah, Ginjah, they all know Captain Ginjah,
Jolly old pot, O. T. 'ot,
Ninety five in the shade, what what!
And I love the ladies, not one of them would I injure,
All the girls are fond of Gin,
Gin-Gin-Gin-Gin-Ginjah!



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - August 2015)