The praise of Saylors here set forth,
With the hard Fortunes which do befall them on the Seas, when
Land men sheep safe on their beds. To a pleasant new tune.
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AS I lay musing in my bed,
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full warm and well at ease,
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I thought upon the lodgings hard
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poor Saylors had at Seas.
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They bide it out with hunder and cold
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and many a bitter blast,
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And many times constraind they are
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for to cut down their Mast,
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Their Victuals and their Ordinance
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and ought else that they have,
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They throw it over board with speed,
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and seek their lives to save.
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When as the raging Seas do fome,
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and lofty winds do blow,
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The Saylors they go to the top,
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when Land-men stay below.
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Our Masters Mate takes helm in hand
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his course he steers full well.
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When as the lofty winds do blow
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and raging Seas do swell.
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Our Master to his Compass goes,
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so well he plyes his charge,
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He sends a Youth unto them amain
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for to unsling the Yard.
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The Boatson hes under the Deck,
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a man of courage bold,
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To th top, to th top my lively Lads,
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hold fast my hearts of gold.
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The Pylot he stands on the Clain
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with a Line and a Lead so sound
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To see how far and near they are
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from any dangerous ground,
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It is a testimonial good,
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we are not far from Land,
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There sits a Mermaid on the Rock
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with comb and glass in hand.
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Our Captain he is on the poop
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a man of might and power.
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And look when raging Seas do gape
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our bodies to devour.
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Our Royall ship is run to rack,
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that was so stout and trim,
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And some are put unto their shifts
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either to sink or swim.
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OUr ship that was before so good,
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and eke likewise so trim,
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Is now with raging Seas grown leakt
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and water fast comes in.
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The Quarter-Master is a man,
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so well his charge plyes he,
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He calls them to the Pomp amain
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to keep their leakt ship free.
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And many dangers likewise they
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do many times endure,
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When as they meet their enemies
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that come with might and power
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And seek their lives likewise to take
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their lives and eke their goods,
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Thus Saylors they sometimes endure
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upon the surging floods.
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But when as they do come to Land,
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and homewards safe return.
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They are most good fellows all,
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and scorn ever to mourn.
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And likewise they will call for wine,
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and score it on the post,
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For Saylors they are honest men
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and love to pay their Oast.
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For Saylors they be honest men
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and they do take great pains,
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When Landed men and ruffling Lads
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do rob them of their grains.
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Our Saylors they work night and day
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their mand-hood for to try,
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When Landed men and ruffling Jacks
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do in their Cabins lye.
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Therefore let all good minded men,
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give ear unto my Song,
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And say also as well as I
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Saylors deserve no wrong.
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Thus have I done for Saylors sake
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in token of good will,
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If ever I can doe them good,
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I will be ready still.
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God bless them eke by Sea and Land
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and also other men,
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And as my Song beginning had
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so must it have an end.
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