It was the middle of summer
And just too hot to play
So the boys sat under the shade tree
Wondering how to pass the time away

Loud and angry a stomach growled
And another stomach more angrily replied
Someone said "let's go row a boat"
All agreed down by the river side

Now a boat cannot put out to sea
Without the blessed flour dumpling
So all the pockets were emptied
To buy the flour and salt thing

Soon everyone scattered to meet again within an hour
And on the river bank was stacked the provision for the journey
Ackee, yam, sweet potato, and yes a hunk of salt pork
The single men would not let the boat set out and leave them in port

No females on board loud rang the cry
Though they knew they would soon be along
For when the men decide to "row a boat"
It was nicer than eating at a fancy resturant

Who need pots when buckets and empty tins will do
A sharpened pice of twig does the same job as a fork
Leave spread on the ground thats everyone's plate
Skill is needed to keep the ackee and saltfish on its special leaf

The captain and his small crew do the rowing
While the other sailors sat idly by
The boys could not decide whether they were monkeys or fishes
No fear if they fell form the trees it mean falling into the river

Never a time did the two events fail to coincide
The captain shouted "boat land"
And the females arrive
Oh boy!! ...what would life be without them