The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Boat Song

Dad’s on our pirate ship,
just ‘cos he’s bored;
why do the crew want
to jump overboard?

Whoa, whay, haul him away;
Dad’s on the boat, so
we can’t sail today.


Prancing on the poop deck,
running out of luck,
Dad gets the captain
to dance the disco duck.

Whoa, whay, haul him away;
Dad’s on the boat, so
we can’t sail today.


Skipping on the hatches,
frightening the cat,
Dad looks a wally in
his silly pirate hat.

Whoa, whay, haul him away;
Dad’s on the boat, so
we can’t sail today.


Mum’s come aboard,
grabbed him by the coat,
dragged him down the gangway;
now he’s off the boat.

Whoa, whay, she’s hauled him away;
Dad’s off the boat, so
we can sail today.

About the Writer


Nairn Kennedy

Nairn lives in Yorkshire, although he originally came from Scotland. He writes poems mainly for adults, but likes to write some funny poems for his grandchildren. He’s been published in several magazines, and has been one of the prizewinners in The London Magazine, the Ilkley and the Waltham Forest Poetry Competitions. When he’s not writing, he likes to read, walk, grow plants and write computer programs; he also has a soft spot for cats and dogs.