The History of The Jago's
Jagos of Cornwall
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I Was Walking Through the Dockyard in a Panic
This ditty is probably the most well known and used in the whole of the navy, with every sailor knowing at least one variation.
This example is typical of all the version collected by Barry Scott from many song sessions between 1970 ? 1990 and was well recorded during World War Two and the years after.
Cyril Tawney in Grey Funnel Lines, tells us the song was originally written by Mr John Bush in c.1920?s at Devonport Dockyard. In fact John only did what many other sailorsdid before him, that was to take an existing song and recraft it. However in the process he added various new elements, which have forever remained irrisistable to Royal Naval sailors. - Also see Tawney GFL No 27
A Typical Version Collected in 1989
If however you know any fifferent verses etc. Please Please let me know.
I was walking through the Dockyard in a panic,
When I met a matelot old and grey.
Upon his back he had his kitbag and his hammock,
And this is what I heard him say.
I wonder, yes I wonder,
Has the Jossman [1] made a blunder,
When he made this draft chit [2] out for me,
Well I?ve been a barrack stanchion,[3]
The pride of Jago?s mansion.[4]
But I do not want to go to sea.
Oh I like my tiddy(5)Oggie ,
And I like my figgy duff,
And I always say good morning to the chief.
GOOD MORNING CHIEF - {Loudly Recited by general assembly}
Oh, I wonder, yes I wonder,
Has the Jossman made a blunder,
When he made this draft chit out for me.
(1) Jossman - The principal ships regulator otherwise known as the Jaunty or Master at Arms and sometimes on small ships a position served by the Coxswain.
(2) Draft Chit - Notice to join a ship.
(3) Barrack Stantion - A rating always seen in the RN Barracks, these were often people in the Writers trade whose billets at sea were thin on the ground.
(4) Jago's Mansions - RNB Plymouth so named after Warrant Officer Jago who introduced a new form of central messing (food) which was widely recognised as superior in all the Fleets. Eventualy post WW2 adopted throughout.
(5) Tiddy =Tasty -
. In Devon in the 1940's Tiddey is the local name for Potato, which is - asyou willknow one of the usual things to be found in a cornish Pasty.
Not to be confused (as I was) with Tiddely (sailors word - for very specially smart an tidy)
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