Verse 1: Billy McCoy was a musical boy.
On the cruiser Alabama he was there on that "piana"
Like a fish down in the sea.
When he rattled of some harmony.
Every night out on the ocean he would get that raggy notion,
Start that syncopated motion lovingly.
No one could sleep way out there on the deep,
When Billy cut loose out at sea.

Chorus: Each fish and worm begins to twist and squirm,
The ship starts in to dip and does a corkscrew turn;
Just see that smoke so black sneak from that old smoke stack!
It's floatin' right to heaven and it won't come back;
Now here and there you'll see a stool and chair
A slippin' 'round the cabin shoutin' "I don't care!"
And then the hammock starts a swingin' and the bell begins a ringin'
While he's sittin' at that "piano", there on the Alabama,
Playin' the Oceana Roll.

Verse 2: England or Spain, it was always the same,
He'd be there at that "piana" on the cruiser Alabama
Every morning, noon and night
He would keep it up with all his might.
Every time he'd start a playin' All the boys would start a swayin',
Every one would keep a sayin', "Don't you stop!"
Sailors, take care! Oh, you sailors beware!
For Bill will play on 'till you drop.

Chorus: Each fish and worm begins to twist and squirm,
The ship starts in to dip and does a corkscrew turn;
Just see that smoke so black sneak from that old smoke stack!
It's floatin' right to heaven and it won't come back;
Now here and there you'll see a stool and chair
A slippin' 'round the cabin shoutin' "I don't care!"
And then the hammock starts a swingin' and the bell begins a ringin'
While he's sittin' at that "piano", there on the Alabama,
Playin' the Oceana Roll.