Johnny Cox

As in the good ship Annabel
We coasted off Corfu,
A sudden storm upon us fell,
And tore our timbers true
And rent our sails in two.

Our top-mast tumbled by the board,
Our mizeh-mast as well;
Through flapping canvas, scourging cord,
Above like our death-bell--
We hear the thunder knell.

"Now cut away!" our Captain cries,
"And like a cork she floats;"
But axe in hand, with scowling eyes,
Set teeth and cursing throats,
The Lascars loose the boats.

When Johnny Cox, who lay below,
From off his fever-bed,
Comes staggering up, a ghastly show
As if from out the dead,
And drives them back in dread.

"What! quit your posts, ye cowards all?
Here's ballast then for you!"
With that he heaves a cannon-ball
Full crash the cutler through,
And saves the ship and crew.

But he, our hero, ere the rocks
We rounded, drooped and died;
And we should lower you, Johnny Cox,
Lamenting o'er the side--
Into the moaning tide.