A Humorous Maritime Song
‘The Worst Old Ship’, sometimes known as Waiting for the Day or The Collier Brig, is a comic maritime song that affectionately describes a vessel in almost unbelievable condition.
Filled with exaggeration, misfortune and dry sailor humour, it has become a popular favourite among modern shanty groups and folk singers.
Not a Classic Deep-Water Shanty
Unlike many well-known sea shanties of the Atlantic sailing trade, the song appears to be associated with Britain's east coast sailing and barging traditions rather than the great ocean-going packet ships.
Its references to East Anglian locations suggest a strong connection to coastal trading routes around eastern England.
The Bob Roberts Connection
The song is most closely associated with Bob Roberts, the celebrated sailor, bargeman, author and folk singer.
Roberts spent much of his working life aboard Thames sailing barges and coastal trading vessels. Through his singing and recordings, he preserved many songs connected with Britain's maritime heritage.
A Song of the East Coast
The lyrics mention locations including Harwich, Orford Ness, Lowestoft, Cromer and the Humber, all prominent features of England's east coast.
These references suggest that the song emerged from the experiences and humour of coastal sailors familiar with these waters.
Fact or Fiction?
No evidence has been found linking the song to any single real vessel. Instead, it appears to be a comic exaggeration built from familiar maritime complaints.
Like many sailors' songs, its humour relies on taking everyday problems and making them increasingly absurd.
A Ship Held Together with Twine
One of the song's most memorable lines claims that the vessel was “built in Roman times” and “held together with bits of twine.”
Such exaggerations belong to a long tradition of maritime storytelling in which worn-out ships and impossible voyages become the subject of amusement.
Waiting for the Pay Day
The recurring chorus centres on sailors waiting for the day they receive their wages.
This theme would have resonated strongly with generations of working seamen, whose earnings often depended on successfully completing difficult voyages.
Work Song or Forebitter?
Some sources describe the song as having been used as a capstan or pumping song, while others treat it primarily as a forebitter, a song sung by sailors for entertainment during off-duty hours.
Its precise historical function remains uncertain.
The Survival of Maritime Humour
One reason for the song's continued popularity is its universal humour. Every sailor has stories of unreliable machinery, poor provisions and difficult voyages.
‘The Worst Old Ship’ transforms those frustrations into a lively and memorable piece of maritime folklore.
“The worst old ship that ever did weigh,
Sailed out of Harwich on a windy day;
And we're waiting for the day,
That we get our pay.”
Why We Still Sing It
- It preserves the humour of Britain's coastal sailors.
- Its East Coast locations give it a strong regional character.
- The chorus encourages audience participation.
- Its exaggerated storytelling reflects a classic maritime tradition.
Whether originally composed by Bob Roberts, learned from earlier sailors, or adapted from East Coast maritime traditions, ‘The Worst Old Ship’ continues to entertain audiences today. Its comic portrait of a vessel that should never have left harbour ensures that it remains one of the most enjoyable songs in the modern maritime repertoire.