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SONGS AND BALLADS |
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Besides the many dangers that are upon the seas, -
When they are on the shore they will ramble where t. ey please;
For up and down in sea-port town they court both old and
young : They will deceive ; do not believe the sailor's flattering tongie.
I give you this advice now, as you may understand,
It being at the time when seamen come to land,
For up and down in Greenwich town the seamen they do trade,
And he doth boast that spends the most; oh ! he's a jolly blade.
They likewise treat their sweet-hearts when they are on the shore, But when they are gone perhaps you may never see them more ; To-day they wed, at night they bed, to-morrow go to sea : Therefore I say, as well I may, a landman still for me.
The seamen they are gone to sea, and leave there wives at home, To take what care they can; for there parts they'l take none; They tell their friends they do depend upon their husbands' pay, And run in debt, while they expect their money every day.
Suppose you have a sailor, that sails before the mast;
If he's the best of husbands his breath is but a blast:
The roaring waves their wills will have—there's no man can withstand—
And he may sleep in the ocean deep whilst you are on the land.
Suppose you have a captain, a person of great fame ; Yet still there is great danger in sailing on the main. The fates unkind in stormy wind may lay his honour low, And then his wife, with careful life, laments his overthrow.
Give me an honest tradesman, of high or low degree ; . I'll never fix my fancy on a man that goes to sea. A tradesman's wife's a happy life, if he's an honest man : He'll take a share in all the care ; deny it if you can. |
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