A Sea Song, [August 1778]

As I was in London and London fair street

I made out my business my true love to see

What ship brother sailor she said unto me

He answered and said bound from England I be

All things being ready and fiting to sail—

The wind at north west with a sweet and pleasant Gail

We sail’d along to our own hearts content

Our Ship sprung a Leake and to bottom she went

Five and thirty hands all confined in a boat

All on short allowance we went a float

Provisions growing scarce and the time drawing nigh

We all casted lots to see who should first die

The lots were made and in a bag shouk’d

And each of them all they pour’d their lots too

At length this young damsel her lot it fell short

She was to die first to feed all the rest

Then they all cast lots till they fairly should see

Which of them all her butcher should be

Listen a while and the truth you shall hear

She was to be slain by the young man her dear

Hold your hand butcher the maiden reply’d

Or are you for killing a harmless maid

A rich Merchant’s daughter from London I be

And see what I’m come to by loving of the[e]

With that the colours flow up in his face

Saying O my dear jewel my heart it will break

Saying O my dear jewel my heart it will burst

In hopes of your long life then I will die first.

Then they all cast lots till they fairly should see

Which of them all his butcher should be

Be quick in your Office my business are done

Before the bloe was drawn they all hear’d a gun

Hold your hand butcher the Captain replyed

We are near some ship or town hard by

We sailed along with fair wind and tide

At length we touch’d into a harbour hard by the Sea Side