American Old Time Song Lyrics: 59 A Yankee Man O War
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 59
A YANKEE MAN O' WAR.
It was down in yonder meadow I carelessly did stray.
There I beheld a lady fair, with some young sailor gay;
Says he, "My pretty Susan, I soon must leave the shore.
To cross the briny ocean in a Yankee man o' war."
Young Susan fell a-weeping. "Young sailor." she did say,
"How can you be so venturesome, to throw yourself away?
For by the time I'm twenty-one I shall receive my store,.
Jolly sailor, do not venture in a Yankee man o' war."
"Oh, Susan, lovely Susan, the truth to you I'll tell,
Proud Mexico insulted us. America knows it well:
I may be crowned with laurels, just like a lolly tar,
And I'll face the shores of Mexico in a Yankee man o' war."
"How can you be so venturesome, to face those Mexicans
For when they're far in battle, love, they never take a man;
And by a bloody dagger you might receive a scar,
So turn your inclination from a Yankee man o' war."
"Oh, Susan, lovely Susan, the time will quickly pass,
Let's go down to yonder ferry house and take a parting glass;
My shipmates they are waiting to row me from the shore,
And it's for America's glory in a Yankee man o' war."
The sailor took his handkerchief and tore it into two,
Saying. ' Susan, you may keep one-half, the other I'll keep for you;
When bullets may surround me and the cannons loudly roar,
I'll fight for pretty Susan in a Yankee man o' war."