One, Two, Three

I saw three witches as the wind blew cold In a red light to the lee; Bold they were and over-bold As they sailed over the sea; Calling for One, Two, Three! Calling for One, Two, Three! And I think I can hear It a-ringing in my ear, A-calling for the One, Two, Three.

And clouds came over the sky, And the wind it blew hard and free, And the waves grew bold and over-bold As we sailed over the sea; Howling for One, Two, Three! Howling for their One, Two, Three! Oh I think I can hear It a-ringing in my ear, A-howling for their One, Two, Three!

And the storm came roaring on, Such a storm as I never did see, And the storm it was bold and over-bold, And as bad as a storm could be; A-roaring for its One, Two, Three! A-howling for its One, Two, Three! Oh I think I can hear It a-howling in my ear, A-growling for its One, Two, Three!

And a wave came over the deck, As big as a wave could be, And it took away the captain and the mate and a man: It had got the One, Two, Three! And it went with the One, Two, Three! Oh I think I can hear It a-rolling in my ear, As it went with the One, Two, Three.

This being cheered, I said, “Some time ago I made a song in the Italian tongue About a witch and pirate—which for you Shall, if you like, be now in English sung.” “No, give it first,” cried Saltonstall, “by jingo! In its own nateral, Eyetalian lingo; What I don’t know of it ain’t worth a cent; Even to Rome I several times have went, In Naples, too, I’ve had full many a turn And know old Spartivento like a dern; And most of us, I reckon—though we’re Yankee— Can go the Dago, or some lingua frankey. We ain’t so ignorant of what we know; So go ahead, Signor—prestissimo! Ef we don’t catch the sense ’twill be a pity.”— So thus encouraged I began my ditty: