[Verse 1] We set our nets by morning light, The river calm, the sky so bright, But something stirred to give us fright— ’Twas the gator in the grain! He chewed the ropes and snapped the line, He stole the bait and drank the brine, We swore we’d catch him this old time— That gator in the grain! [Chorus – Call and Response] Captain: Oh, the gator and the grain, me boys! Crew: The gator and the grain! Captain: He bit the sack and laughed again! Crew: The gator and the grain! All: Heave, ho, we’ll mend the seam, Patch the hull and chase the dream, From swamp to sea our tale’s the same— The gator and the grain! [Verse 2] He followed us from field to bay, A scaly thief, both night and day, He’d grin and snort, then swim away— That gator and his game! We tried to trade, we tried to plead, He wanted naught but mischief’s seed, He’s captain now in word and deed— That gator and the grain! [Chorus] Oh, the gator and the grain, me boys! The gator and the grain! He bit the sack and laughed again! The gator and the grain! Heave, ho, we’ll mend the seam, Patch the hull and chase the dream, From swamp to sea our tale’s the same— The gator and the grain! [Bridge – Slower, like a sailor’s toast] Raise your mugs and sing his name, To foolish hearts who play his game, For every ship’s got one to blame— A gator in the grain! [Final Chorus – Double time, rowdy and full crew] Oh, the gator and the grain, me boys! The gator and the grain! He’ll chew your boots and steal your cane! The gator and the grain! Heave, ho, from swamp to shore, He’ll have his laugh and come for more, But we’ll still sail forevermore— With the gator and the grain!
