Jack dances and sings, and is always content

Jack dances and sings, and is always content,
In his vows to his lass he'll ne'er fail her,
His anchor's a-trip when his money's all spent—
And this is the life of a sailor.

Alert in his duty, he readily flies
Where winds the tir'd vessel are flinging,
Though sunk to the sea gods, or toss'd to the skies,
Still Jack is found working and singing:

Long side of an enemy, boldly and brave,
He'll with broadside on broadside regale her,
Yet he'll sigh to the soul o'er that enemy's grave,
So noble's the mind of a sailor.

Let cannons roar loud, burst their sides let the bombs,
Let the winds a dread hurricane rattle,
The rough and the pleasant he take as it comes,
And laughs at the storm and the battle:

In a fostering power while Jack puts his trust,
As fortune comes, smling he'll hail her,
Resign'd still and manly, since what must be must,
And this is the mind of a sailor.

Though careless and headlong, if danger should press,
And rank'd 'mongst the free list of rovers,
Yet he'll melt into tears at a tale of distress,
And prove the most constant of lovers:

To rancour unknown, to no passion a slave,
Nor unmanly, nor mean, nor a railer,
He's gentle as mercy, as fortitude brave,
And this is a true English sailor.