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Music of the Waters. 61 |
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And by the way they lost a day,
Out of her log was stole ; But Neptune kind, with favouring wind,
Hath brought her safe and whole.
I am King Neptune bold,
The ruler of the seas ; I don't understand much singing upon land,
But I hope what I say will please."
As might be expected, there is frequent mention of the Spaniards in these old Cornish and Devonian songs of that period :—
" Oh, where be these gay Spaniards, Which make so great a boast O ? Oh, they shall eat the grey goose feather, And we shall eat the-roast O !"
Many of these rattling old sea-songs are sung, and well-known too, in Devonshire to this day ; there is one, " The Mermaid," with a splendid chorus: " While we jolly sailor-boys were up aloft, And the land-lubbers lying down below, below, below." Then there is another, entitled "John Dory," and one known as "The Spanish Lady." Then again Dr. Boyce's grand song, " Hearts of Oak," was written at the end of the eighteenth century; and Davy's celebrated " Bay of Biscay," both illustrative of the times of the Elizabethan sea-dogs.
Some of the old songs of the sea are forecastle favourites with the sailors, and may often be heard wherever sailors are congregated together. Such songs as " Cawsand Bay," " True Blue," &c, are especially popular with Jack.
CAWSAND BAY. (Still sung when ships of war are on distant stations.) " In Cawsand Bay lying, with Blue Peter flying, And all hands turned up for the anchor to weigh, There came a young lady as fresh as a May-day, And, modestly hailing, this damsel did say,— |
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