HAPPY JERRY. SO WAS the pride of all the Thames, My name was Natty Jerry, So merrily did jog it, And won the prize of Dogget. I row'd all blithe and merry, To call me Happy Jerry. My wife and friend betray'd me, Some pretty frolics play'd me: Return’d, I used them like a man, But still 'twas so provoking, Nor even fancy smoking; No longer blithe and merry, And call’d me Dismal Jerry. At sea as with a dangerous wound I lay under the surgeons, In every emergence : Soon after my sweet friend and wife Into this mess had brought me, In my misfortune sought me: In coat and badge so merry, May hail you Happy Jerry. To whom you proved a rover, Have sought you the world over: (When boys) you used so badly, Then, prithee, look not sadly. My grateful heart grew merry, I'm once more Happy Jerry. COMELY NED. vaSTIVE ear to me, both high and low, 2002 And, while you mourn hard Fate's Toe decree, Lament a tale, right full of woe, His king and country served had he; For comely Ned that died at sea. His sister Peg her brother loved, For a right tender heart had she, For comely Ned that died at sea. That led the dance upon the lea, For comely Ned that died at sea. His friends, who loved his manly worth, (For none more friends could boast than he,) To mourn now lay aside their mirth For comely Ned that died at sea. Come then and join, with friendly tear, The song that, ʼmidst of all our glee, We from our hearts chant once a-year For comely Ned that died at sea. TOM TRUELOVE'S KNELL. V That e'er to tar was kind, Her face was of a beauty rare, He named her for his bride; For grief his love had died ! I loved so dear, so well ? Tom Truelove's knell. Break heart at once, and there's an end, Thou all that heaven could give; Yet, yet for him I'll live. Not yet on Tom had tried, That his dear friend had died : Who honour loved so well ? Tom Truelove's knell. Enough, enough, a salt-sea wave A healing balm shall bring; Live still to serve your king: Thanks, generous friend, he cried; He named his love, and died ! His friends, still sorrowing, tell Tom Truelove's knell. WHO CARES? I F lubberly landsmen, to gratitude strangers, la Still curse their unfortunate stars, Why, what would they say, did they try but the dangers Encounter'd by true-hearted tars? If life's vessel they put'fore the wind, or they tack her, Or whether bound here or bound there, Give 'em sea-room, good fellowship, grog, and tobacker, Well then, damme, if Jack cares where. Then your stupid old Quidnuncs, to hear them all clatter, The devil can't tell you what for, Though they don't know a gun from a marlinspike, chatter About and concerning of war: While for king, wife, and friend, he's through every thing rubbing, With duty still proud to comply, So he gives but the foes of Old England a drubbing, Why then, damme, if Jack cares why. And then, when good fortune has crown'd his endeavours, And he comes home with shiners galore, Well, what if so be he should lavish his favours On every poor object 'long shore? Friend, enemy, false, or true, Well then, damme, if Jack cares who. Don't you see how some diff'rent thing ev'ry one's twigging, To take the command of a rib? Some are all for the breast-work, and some for the rigging, And some for the cut of her jib. |