Meg of Wapping

'Twas Landlady Meg that made such rare slip, Pull away, pull away, hearties; At Wapping she liv'd at the sign of the ship, Where tars meet in such jolly parties. She'd shine at the play and she'd jig at the ball, All rigg'd out so gay and so topping. For she married six husbands and buried them all, Pull away, pull away, pull away, I say, What d'ye think of my Meg of Wapping.

The first was old Bluff with a swinging purse; Pull away, pull away, jolly boys! He was cast away, said Meg who cares a curse? As for grieving why, lord, that's a folly boys, The second in command was clear ey'd Ned; While the surgeon his limb was a lopping, A nine pounder came and smack'd off his head, Pull away, pull away, pull away, I say! Rare news for my Meg of Wapping.

Then she married to Sam, and Sam lov'd a sup, Pull away, pull away, brother! So grogy Sam got and the ship blew up And Meg had to look for another: The fourth was bold Ben who at danger would smile, 'Till his courage a crocodile stopping, Made his breakfast of Ben on the banks of the Nile, Pull away, pull away, pull away I say, What a fortunate Meg of Wapping!

Stay who was the fifth? O 'twas Diek so neat, Pull away, pull away so merry! And the Savages Dick both killed and eat, And poor Meg she was forced to take Jerry: Death again slood her friend, for, kill'd in a fray, He also the grave chanc'd to pop in; So now with my song I shall soon belay, Pull away, pull away, pull away, Belay, The six husbands of Meg of Wapping.

But I did not tell you how that she married seven, Pull away, pull away, so neatly! 'Twas honest Tom Trip and he sent her to heaven And her strong box rumaged sweetly; For Meg growing old, a fond dotard proved, And must after a boy needs be hopping; So she popp'd off & Tom with the girl that he loved, Pull away, pull away, pull away, I say, Spent the shiners of Meg of Wapping.