Other Musings

I

I once was a rakish young fellow
I never took care of my life
I’ve sailed the salt seas all over
In every port a fresh wife
But now that the wars are all ended
And I’m landed safe on the shore
Damn me both now and forever
If I go to sea any more 

II

I’ll send for my friends and relations
I’ll send for them every one
And to make them right hearty and welcome
I’ll send for a puncheon of rum
A puncheon of rum I will send for
And two or three barrels of beer
And they shall be hearty and welcome
And dance and partake of good cheer. 

III

And when I’m dead & I’m buried
Why then there’s an end of my life
There shall be no sighing or sobbing
But do a good turn for my wife
There shall be no sighing or sobbing
But this one favour I crave
Wrap me up in a tarpaulin jacket
And fiddle and dance o’er my grave

 IV

I’ll have six jolly tars to carry me
And the[y] shall be thundering drunk
And as they go laughing and singing
Tumble into a ditch with my trunk
And they shall go laughing and singing
Like so many whores at a fair
Take a glass of grog over my coffin
Saying “he is a true-hearted tar” 

Moral

Though troubles should chance to assail you
And fortune in malice should grin
The Cordial that never will fail you
Is a cigar and — Gin.