Twistin' The Night Away: The R&B Hits 1957-62

"Born on the mess decks and under the gun, my daddy was a Gunner and I'm a Son of a gun."

Son of a gun
Meaning a rogue or scamp - ""you are naughty, you old son of a gun"". Also used, although this is uncommon outside the USA, as a euphemism for 'son of a bitch'. Some say that the origin is 'son of a military man'. This explanation is disputed but, correct or not, the phrase is no longer used to convey that meaning.

Let there be no doubt in your collective military minds that first of all I am a God fearing man and I tell the truth as I see it! The difference between a Fairy Tale and a good Sea Story is this: A Fairy Tale begins, "Once upon a time ... " and a Sea Story Begins, "Now this ain't no shit ... "
Well now, this book "Ain't no shit ... " and he who tells a bigger tale will have to tell a lie!" And thereby hangs a tale."