American Old Time Song Lyrics: 32 The Skipper And His Boy

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 32

THE SKIPPER AND HIS BOY.

The sea ran high and the wind was wild
When the skipper called to his only child:
"My boy, if fears assail thee now,
Go, pray in silence down below."
"Fear!" cried the boy, "I know not fear,
Father, when thy right hand is near;
But merry it is o'er the waves so high
To ride together, my father and I."

"Mother will watch from the door and pray
For us both, dear father, till break of day;
And she'll be the first, when her prayer is done,
To catch sight of our sail 'neath the morning sun."
"Yes, yes," quoth the skipper, brief and stern­"To-morrow shall see our bark return
O'er the green waves; 'neath the morning sky
We'll ride together, my boy and I."

She is watching, watching-but nevermore
Will that gallant skipper return to shore;
The boy's black handkerchief lies on the sand.
It was tied 'round his neck with her parting hand;
And all that doth of the skipper remain
Is the compass he shall never use again;
But she knows that now on the jasper sea
They ride together, his father and he.