The Sea Shanty of Zheng He

The History of China

There once was a fleet that put to sea

All in name of the Imperial Ming

With phoenix sterns, & dragon prows

Oh go, my baochuan, go!

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor

To bring ceramics & silk galore

One day, when the trading is done

They’ll take our spice & go

Commanded by an admiral

So tall he seem unnatural

His voice rang out like temple bell

To get those treasures stowed

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor

To bring ceramics & silk galore

One day, when the trading is done

They’ll take our spice & go

They sailed the southern seas so vast

They’d catch the wind with all nine masts

Astrologers would watch the skies

From Champa to Guangzhou

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor

To bring ceramics & silk galore

One day, when the trading is done

They’ll take our spice & go

But on wave-crest a Pirate Lord

He spied the fleet and greedily roared

“Make ready all your cannon shot,

We’ll take all their cargo!”

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor

To bring ceramics & silk galore

One day, when the trading is done

They’ll take our spice & go

Through flame and smoke they battled on

Til in a flash a month was gone

The Pirate Lord would taste defeat

His ships sunk deep below

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor

To bring ceramics & silk galore

One day, when the trading is done

They’ll take our spice & go

At last they came to Indian shores

In search of spice and jewels and more

The deal was struck, with solemn vow

To pay all that was owed

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor

To bring ceramics & silk galore

One day, when the trading is done

They’ll take our spice & go

But homeward bound the skies grew dim

The winds did howl, their fate seemed grim

The sailors prayed, “Help us, Tianfei!”

The masts began to glow

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor

To bring ceramics & silk galore

One day, when the trading is done

They’ll take our spice & go

The Goddess heard their earnest pleas

She stilled the waves & calmed the breeze

The sailors gave their sober thanks

She’s spared them from their woe

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor

To bring ceramics & silk galore

One day, when the trading is done

They’ll take our spice & go

Soon may the Treasure Fleet moor

To bring ceramics & silk galore

One day, when the trading is done

They’ll take our spice & go

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