The Sailor's Complaint

Come and listen to my ditty, all ye jolly hearts of gold,
Lend a brother tar your pity who was once so stout and bold;
But the arrows of God Cupid, alas ! have made me rue,
Sure true love was ne'er so treated as I am by scornful Sue.

When I landed first at Dover she appeared a goddess bright.
From foreign parts but just come over I was struck with so fair a sight ;
On the shore pretty Susan walked near to where our frigate lay,
And altho' so near the landing, I, alas ! was cast away.

When first I hail'd my pretty creature, the delight of land and sea,
No man ever saw a sweeter, I'd have kept her company ;
I'd fain have made her my true love, for better or for worse,
But, alas ! I could not compass her for to steer the marriage course.

Once no greater joy or pleasure could have come into my mind,
Than to see the bold Defiance sailing right before the wind,
O'er the white waves as she danced, and her colours gaily flew;
But that was not half so charming as the trim of lovely Sue.

On a rocky coast I've driven where the stormy winds do rise,
Where the rolling mountain billows lift a vessel to the skies ;
But from land, or from the ocean, little dread I ever knew,
When compared to.the dangers in the frowns of scornful Sue.

Long I wonder'd why my jewel had the heart to use me so,
Till I found by often sounding she'd another love in tow;
So farewell hard-hearted Sukie, I'll my fortune seek at sea,
And try in a more friendly latitude, since in yours I cannot be.