The Cheng Went Down To One Main
(Sung to “The Devil Went Down To Georgia)
(Artwork by Grant L. Gaston ... USS Hancock CV/CVA 19)
The Cheng went down to One Main
He was looking for a top watch to bust
He was in a bind ‘cause he was way behind,
Engineering had bit the dust
He came across a young man steaming a boiler and steaming it
hot
The Cheng jumped up on a main feed pump and said
“Boy let me tell you what!”
I guess you didn’t know it but I’m a Main Space steamer too.”
“And if you care to take a dare, I’ll make a bet with you.”
“Now you steam a pretty good boiler boy, but give the Cheng
his due.”
“I’ll
bet a boiler full of Gold, against your soul, I can steam it better than you.”
The
boy said, “My name’s Johnny, and it might be a sin.”
“But
I’ll take your bet, and your gonna regret,”
“Cause
I’m the best there’s ever been.”
The
Cheng jumped down off the pump and said, “I’ll start this show!”
He
opened valves, cracked the drains, Till you could feel the hot steam flow.
He
brought it up on the Governor and it made an evil hiss,
Babbit
poured out the packing glands, as he blew that pump to piss!
Then
he looked at his gauge glass, it was high and out of sight,
Snipes
poured out the trunk of that pit, with the worst of main steam fright.
He
tried to shut the boiler stops, and bring it off the main,
But
blades flew from the main turbines, like little drops of rain.
When
the hissing stopped, and the steam cleared, the Cheng wiped his pants,
Johnny
said, “Lets go down to number four and let me take my chance.”
Johnny
lit off the feed pump and got his water right,
And
grabbed onto the light-off torch, and gave that bitch a light.
He
drew a perfect vacuum, without the slightest strain,
A
mere five minutes later, he brought it on the main.
He
cracked the main throttle and let those turbines roll,
Only
the sounds of steaming bliss were heard throughout the hole.
He
maxed out the boiler, and watched the fires burn,
He
swing the throttle open and pulled two-hundred turns.
The
Cheng bowed his head in shame, he knew that he’d been beat,
And
offered Johnny his earned place, the cushy EOOW seat.
Johnny
said, “Cheng just come on back if you ever want to try again.”
“I
told you once you son-of-a-bitch, I’m the best there’s ever been.”
Chorus:
Johnny
oil up you torch, and steam that boiler hard,
Cause
Hell’s broke loose in One Main and the Cheng holds all the cards.
And
if you win you get that shiny boiler made of gold,
But
if you lose the Cheng will get your Crow!
