danensis: If you read the other threads shown at the top, the whole history will be clear; especially see Sam Hinton's comments. In short, the story goes way at least to 1937 for a sailor's woes. Hoffnung adapted it brilliantly as a recitation. Cooksey has sole and indisputable claim to its adaptation as a song. If you sing it you should always credit him and be prepared for one or to people saying, "I believe it's actually by ..." (I did only 2 weeks ago.) It's Cooksey.