The Jolly Sailors true Description of a
MAN of WAR.
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WHEN first on board a Man of War,
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We go, whether by press or enter,
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And along-side of our ship we come,
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We boldly did her venture.
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Such twigging then at we fresh men:
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There clever fellows some say;
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While the buffers stand with their rattans,
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Crying keep down out of the gangway.
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Then aft upon the quarter deck.
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We go it being common;
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Our officers examine us, to know
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Who and who are seamen;
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There's some are seamen, some are freemen,
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Some one thimg, some another:
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Then we down below on the main-deck go,
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Boys after one another.
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Next to old Tinculo we go,
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For an order to get our hammocks,
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Then aft again and down amain,
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Not forgetting our stomach.
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The steward pens he takes our names,
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And tells to us our messes.
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But nipping there they can't forbear,
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For the devil them possesses.
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Then up again upon the deck,
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So briskly boys we bundle;
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Since we have well secured our pack,
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We have no cause to grumble.
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Then we clap on what we have upon,
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Some piping, other's singing:
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There's hoist away, likewise be gay,
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Thus we make a beginning.
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When once our ship has got all in,
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And nothing now neglected,
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To think of sea we do begin,
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Our orders soon expected.
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Then with a career we got all clear,
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In readiness for unmooring,
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Boats along-side in wind and tide,
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To carry the women ashore in.
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All hands unmoor the boatswain calls,
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And he pipes at every hatch-way;
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If you Tom Cockswain traverse tip him,
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Take care he don't catch you.
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Fot without doubt, if he find you out
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You may be sure within you,
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Over face and eyes to your surprise,
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He'll harm you without mercy.
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The capstain is already mann'd,
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Shall we hear the boatswain hollow?
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Sometimes he is listening at a stand,
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To hear what answers follow.
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We have not brought to, there's such ado,
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While some are calling the swabbers
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Now heave away without delay,
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Boys hold on the nippers.
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The boatswain and his mates are piping,
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Crying, men have a rally:
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And often forward they are piking,
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To have a rout in the galley.
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What are you all about? away with us out,
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To leave our victuals we abhor it;
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With cuffs and knocks leave kettles and pots
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And the Devil cuff them for it.
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Heave, and in sight men heave away
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From forward the boatswain is calling
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Heave a turn or two without delay;
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Stand by the capstan for pealing.
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Then one and all to the cart do fall;
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We haul both strong and able;
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'Till presently from forward they cry,
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Below, stick out the cable.
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We cast our anchors then with speed,
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And nimbly pass the stoppers,
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Then next to fish him we proceed,
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Our shank painter so proper.
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Which we do pass securely fast,
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And clap well on a seizing,
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Our anchors be sure can't be too secure,
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It stands to sense and reason,
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When once our ship it is unmor'd,
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Our swelling sails so neatly,
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With foretack and main-tack also,
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Our sheets haul'd after compleatly.
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Then away we sail with a fresh gale,
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On a voyage or on a station,
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Like English hearts we'll play our parts,
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In defence of the Btitish nation.
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The best cry that we like to hear,
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On board, as I'm a sinner,
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Is when from the quarter-deck they call
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To the boatswain to pipe to dinner.
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Such crowding then among the men,
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Some grumble, others jangle:
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You're nobody there without you swear,
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And boldly stand the wrangle.
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There's green horn fellows, some on board
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Before ne'er saw salt water:
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When come to sea, upon my word,
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The case with them does alter.
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They better know how to follow the plow,
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With good fat bacon and cabbage;
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When sea-sick took, like death they look,
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Ready to bring up guts and garbage.
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When stormy winds begin to blow,
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Our ship is in great motion.
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To carry our victuals safe down below,
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It requires a good motion.
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We often fall down the hatch-way with all,
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From the top to the bottom lie sprawling;
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Such laughing then among the men,
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And loudly the butcher calling.
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There are snotty boys of midshipmen,
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Han't yet done shitting yellow;
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As to their age some hardly ten,
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Strike many a brave fellow.
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Who dare not prate at any rate,
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Nor seem in the reast to mumble,
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They'll strap you still think what you will,
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It is but a folly to grumble.
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Now to conclude and make and end,
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In a full flowing brimmer,
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Let everyone drink to his friend,
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The bowl it seems to look thinner.
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We'll fill it again like sons of men,
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And drink bad luck to the purser,
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He cheat us with ease of our oatmeal & pease,
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Such rogues there can't be worser.
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