It seems that aboard the "Swayback Maru" there are a couple of Bluejackets named Buck Barrett and Wild Bill Ratliff

One bright night with good intentions, they left the Ship for Market Street. With one beer here and one beer there, they soon were more mellow than Western beer that is so advertised.

A sign reading "Come In, let Madame Gazzoogle Tattoo You" attracted them. Bill said, "lets go"; Buck said, "lets go", and so in they went. "Would you like a beautiful nude lady tattooed on your arm?", said Madam Gazzoogle. "Naw; just "homeward bound" on mine" said Buck; "Me too", said Bill.

Well the hangover has passed, the tattoo is on their arm, and they are on there way to Guam.

The moral of this little ditty is, have 36 points on the first of January or else don't get "Homeward Bound" tattooed on your arm.