I was the pride of all the Thames

I was the pride of all the Thames,
My name was natty Jerry,
The best of smarts and flashy dames
I've carried in my wherry:
For then no mortal soul like me
So merrily did jog it,
I lov'd my wife and friend, d'ye see,
And won the prize of Dogget:
In coat and badge, so neat and spruce,
I row'd all blithe and merry,
And every waterman did use
To call me happy Jerry:

But times soon changed, I went to sea,
My wife and friend betrayed me,
And in my absence treacherously
Some pretty frolics played me:
Return'd, I used them like a man,
But still 'twas so provoking,
I could not joy my very can,
Nor even fancy smoaking:
In tarnish'd badge, and coat so queer,
No longer blithe and merry,
Old friends now passed me with a sneer,
And called me dismal Jerry.

At sea, as with a dangerous wound
I lay under the surgeons,
Two friends each help I wanted found
In every emergence:
Soon after my sweet friend and wife
Into this mess had brought me,
These two kind friends who sav'd my life
In my misfortunes sought me.
We're come, cried they, that once again
In coat and badge so merry,
Your kind old friends the watermen
May hail you happy Jerry.

I'm Peggy, once your soul's desire,
To whom you prov'd a rover,
Who since that time in man's attire
Have sought you the world over,
And I, cried t'other, am that Jack
When boys you used so badly,
Though now the best friend to your back,
Then prithee look not sadly;
Few words are best, I seiz'd their hands,
My grateful heart grew merry,
And now in love and friendship's bands
I'm once more happy Jerry.