A sailor's life at sea

When the anchor's weighed, & the ships unmoor'd, And landsmen lay behind, sir, The sailor, joyful ships on board, And swearing prays for a wind, sir.

Towing here, yoing there, Steadily, readily, cherrily merrily, Still from care & thinking free, Is a sailor's life at sea.

When we sail with a fresh'ning breeze, And landsmen all grow sick, sir, The sailor lolls with his mind at ease, And the song & can go quick, sir.

Laughing here, quaffing there, Steadily, &c.

When the wind at night whistles o'er the deep, And sings to landsmen dreary, The sailor fearless goes to sleep, Or takes his watch most chearly.

Boozing here, snoozing there, Steadily, &c.

When the sky grows black, & the wind blows hard And landsmen skulk below, sir, Jack mounts up to the top-main-yard, And turns his quid as he goes, sir.

Hawling here, bawling there, Steadily, &c.

When the foaming waves run mountain high, And landsmen cry, "All's gone," sir; The sailor hangs 'twixt sea and sky, And he jokes with Davy Jones, sir. Dashing here, clashing there, Steadily, &c.

When the ship, d'ye see, becomes a wreck, And landsmen hoist the boat, sir; The sailor scorns to quit the deck, While a single plank's afloat, sir. Swearing here, tearing there, Steadily, readily, &c.