Listen
Arrangement: Ian J. Watts / Mike Wilbury · Singalongasong Band / ClassicRocks
Lyrics
A sailor went to sea sea sea,
To see what he could see see see
But all that he could see see see,
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea sea sea
A pilot went too fast fast fast,
His stick was stuck down fast fast fast
And when he hurtled past past past,
You knew he’d gone far too fast fast fast
A driver parked just fine fine fine
But received a hefty fine fine fine
And when he argued blind blind blind
He just got another fine fine fine
A cook he left at eight eight eight
And all he did was ate ate ate
And after he had eaten eaten eaten,
It had only gone half past eight eight eight
Give me something please please please,
Please listen to my pleas pleas pleas
I need it quickly please please please,
If you really want to please please please
A sailor went to sea sea sea,
To see what he could see see see
But all that he could see see see,
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea sea sea
Traditional lyrics — public domain. Arrangement © Singalongasong Band / ClassicRocks.
History & Background
History & Origin
A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea is one of the most popular hand-clapping games in English-speaking playgrounds, enjoyed by generations of children for its simple, satisfying rhythm and the gentle wordplay of "see, see, see" (as in eyes) alongside "sea, sea, sea."
The origins of the song are unclear — it belongs to the broad tradition of children's clapping and singing games that were passed down orally, rarely written down, and therefore difficult to trace precisely. What is known is that it was well established in British and American playgrounds by the mid-20th century, and has remained a firm favourite ever since.
The charm of the song lies in its physical playfulness. The repeated actions — hands to eyes, hands to knees, hands clasped together — make it a natural partner game, encouraging co-ordination, rhythm and social play. It is one of those songs that children teach each other in the playground, parent to child, and generation to generation.
