BALLAD. (Spanking Jack was so comely, so pleasant…)

Spanking Jack was so comely, so pleasant, so jolly, Though winds blew great guns, still he'd whistle and sing, Jack lov'd his friend, and was true to his Molly, And, if honour gives greatness, was great as a king:

One night, as we drove with two reefs in the main sail, And the scud came on low'ring upon a lee shore, Jack went up aloft, for to hand the top gantsail, A spray wash'd him off, and we ne'er saw him more: But grieving's a folly, Come let us be jolly, If we've troubles at sea boys, we've pleasures ashore.

Whiffling Tom still of mischief or fun in the middle, Through life in all weathers at random would jog, He'd dance, and he'd sing, and he'd play on the fiddle, And swig with an air his allowance of grog:

Long side of a Don, in the Terrible frigate, As yard arm and yard arm we lay off the shore, In and out whiffling Tom did so caper and jig it, That his head was shot off, and we ne'er saw him more:

But grieving's a folly, &c.

Bonny Ben was to each jolly messmate a brother, He was manly and honest, good natured and free, If ever one tar was more true than another To his friend and his duty, that sailor was he:

One day with the david to heave the cadge anchor Ben went in the boat on a bold craggy shore, He overboard tipt, when a shark and a spanker, Soon nipt him in two, and we ne'er saw him more!

But grieving's a folly, &c.

But what of it all lads, shall we be down hearted Because that mayhap we now take our last sup? Life's cable must one day or other be parted, And death in safe moorings will bring us all up:

But 'tis always the way on't, one scarce finds a brother Fond as pitch, honest, hearty, and true to the core, But by battle, or storm, or some damn'd thing or other, He's popp'd off the hooks, and we ne'er see him more!

But grieving's a folly, &c.