Everyone has a secret longing
And when I grew to a man
How I wanted to be a tenor
And sing as tenors can
Love songs sweet
Full of sympathy

I would sing them all the while
But no such songs are left for me
I must sing the big bass viol!
For my voice became a bass
For such songs are out of place

Songs of the sea, and of drink, are left for me
Of love, not the slightest taste
But a tenor I would be
Full of sweetest sympathy

But down went my voice, in the deepest of tones
Love can't be heard in a chorus of groans
Now when I sing, I must praise davy jones

Wrought in the cradle of the deep
That sort of song I must sing
Drinking, drinking, drinking
Such songs do not mean a thing
But if my voice was a tenor

I'd sing way up to high c
Love songs grand, I could then command
Oh, how happy I'd be

But down went my voice, in the deepest of tones
Love can't be heard in a chorus of groans
Now when I sing, I must praise davy jones
For a basso profundo

A basso profundo
A basso profundo
Am I