The Sea Shanty of Zheng He

There once was a fleet that put to sea
All in name of the Imperial Ming
With phoenix sterns, & dragon prows
Oh go, my baochuan, go!

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor
To bring ceramics & silk galore
One day, when the trading is done
They’ll take our spice & go

Commanded by an admiral
So tall he seem unnatural
His voice rang out like temple bell
To get those treasures stowed

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor
To bring ceramics & silk galore
One day, when the trading is done
They’ll take our spice & go

They sailed the southern seas so vast
They’d catch the wind with all nine masts
Astrologers would watch the skies
From Champa to Guangzhou

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor
To bring ceramics & silk galore
One day, when the trading is done
They’ll take our spice & go

But on wave-crest a Pirate Lord
He spied the fleet and greedily roared
“Make ready all your cannon shot,
We’ll take all their cargo!”

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor
To bring ceramics & silk galore
One day, when the trading is done
They’ll take our spice & go

Through flame and smoke they battled on
Til in a flash a month was gone
The Pirate Lord would taste defeat
His ships sunk deep below

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor
To bring ceramics & silk galore
One day, when the trading is done
They’ll take our spice & go

At last they came to Indian shores
In search of spice and jewels and more
The deal was struck, with solemn vow
To pay all that was owed

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor
To bring ceramics & silk galore
One day, when the trading is done
They’ll take our spice & go

But homeward bound the skies grew dim
The winds did howl, their fate seemed grim
The sailors prayed, “Help us, Tianfei!”
The masts began to glow

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor
To bring ceramics & silk galore
One day, when the trading is done
They’ll take our spice & go

The Goddess heard their earnest pleas
She stilled the waves & calmed the breeze
The sailors gave their sober thanks
She’s spared them from their woe

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor
To bring ceramics & silk galore
One day, when the trading is done
They’ll take our spice & go

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor
To bring ceramics & silk galore
One day, when the trading is done
They’ll take our spice & go

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