The Jovial Marriner; or, the Sea-man's Renown

I am a jovial marriner : our calling is well known ;
We trade with many a foreigner to purchase high renown ;
We serve our country faithfully, and bring home store of gold;
We do our business manfully, for we are free and bold.
A sea-man hath a valiant heart, and bears a noble minde ;
He scorneth once to shrink or start for any stormy wind.

'Tis known what hardships we endure abroad upon the seas,
Whilst others sleep at home secure, and spend their time in ease;
We seldom dare lie down to rest, lest danger should ensue ;
Our heads with care is sore opprest: beleeve me, it is true !
A sea-man hath a valiant heart, etc.

A cowardly spirit must not think to prove a sea-man bold,
For to be sure he may not shrink in dangers manifold ;
When sea-fights happen on the main, and dreadful cannons rore,
Then all men fight, or else be slain [and braggarts proud look poor.
A sea-man hath a valiant heart, etc]

'Tis sea-men stout that doth deserve both honour and renown ;
In perils great we may not swerve, though Neptune seem to frown ;
If once his curled front we spy, drencht in the foamy brine,
Then each man doth his business ply, there's none that doth repine.
A sea-man hath [a valiant heart], etc.

When angry billows brush the skye, most hideous to behold,
Then up our ships are tost on high, and with the waves are roull'd ;
When tempest fierce our sails doth tear, and rends the masts asunder,
O ! then we have great cause to fear, or else it were a wonder.
A sea-man hath [a valiant heart], etc.

Great rocks which lye amongst the waves do threaten us with death,
And many sea-men finde their graves in sands which are beneath ;
To see the masts of ships appear, which hath been cast away,
Would make a land-man dye with fear, 'tis best at home to stay.
A sea-man hath a valiant heart, and bears a noble minde, etc.

Brave England hath been much inricht by art of navigation;
Great store of wealth we home have fetched for to adorn our nation :
Our merchants still we do supply with traffick that is rare;
Then, sea-men, cast your caps on high, we are without compare.
A sea-man hath a valiant heart, and bears a noble minde ;
He scorneth once to shrink or start for any stormy wind.

Who should the ladies' pallats please, with spices of the best,
If sea-men all should take their ease, and stay at home to rest ?
Our gallants they would finde a want of silks to make them fine,
And tearing boyes no more would rant if once they wanted wine.
A sea-man hath [a valiant heart], etc.

Our land it would invaded be if sea-men were not stout;
We let our friends come in on sea, and keep out foes without;
Our privilege upon the seas we bravely do maintain,
And can enlarge it when we please in Royal Charles his reign.
A sea-man hath [a valiant heart], etc.

Such countries as do lie remote doth tremble at our fame,
For we have taught them all to note 'tis England bears the name:
In foreign parts where ere we come our valour is well known,
What ere they be they dare not mumm, if we say all's our own.
A sea-man hath [a valiant heart], etc.

When as our ships with merchandize are safely come to shore,
No men like us under the skies to drink, to sing, and rore ;
Good wine and beer we freely tope, until the ground look blew :
We value neither Turk nor Pope, we are a jovial crew.
A sea-man hath [a valiant heart], etc.

We kiss our wives when we return, who long for us did wait,
And he that's single need not mourn, he cannot want a mate:
Young women still are wondrous kinde to sea-men in their need;
And sure it shows a courteous minde to do a friendly deed.
A sea-man hath [a valiant heart], etc.

With pretty, courteous, dainty knacks we please the females well,
We know what longing women lacks, most surely we can tell;
A sea-man is a cock o' th' game, young maidens find it true ;
We never are so much to blame to let them want their due.
A sea-man hath [a valiant heart], etc.

Thus, gallant sea-men, I have spread abroad your high renown,
Which shall survive when you are dead, and gain a lasting crown:
Your praise to future ages shall most gloriously appear;
Then courage, noble sea-men all, 'tis you I love most dear.
A sea-man hath a valiant heart, and bears a noble minde
He scorneth once to shrink or start for any stormy wind.