You ever wake up with a song in your head that you can’t get rid of? Happened to me this morning with this song. As a kid in the 60s I remember we used to sing this and titter about how rude it was even though we probably didn’t even understand the lyrics.  Exactly why I was thinking about this song I am not sure, but in a tenuous attempt to link it to my wargaming I have recently dug out a huge box of pirate miniatures and the associated plastic Playmobil and MegaBlok ships I always meant to convert for gaming.  Hey – works for me.  My first completed pirate ship will definitely be christened the Venus.

Not sure of the exact origins of the song, but Wikipedia says that the song may have it’s origins in the disappearance of the brig Venus on it’s way to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) in 1806 with a load of convicts. Who knows?

A series of verses written in traditional limerick format.

I remember when the Sex Pistols put out their version “Friggin in the Riggin” on the Great Rock N Roll Swindle album in the late 70s it was quite popular but never played on the radio in New Zealand – probably too bawdy for our delicate ears.

A non-rude version for starters.

The Sex Pistol’s Version “Friggin in the Riggin”

An older classic version by Oscar Brand.

And in case that wasn’t enough.