ONE night came on a hurricane, The sea was mountains rolling, When Barney Buntline slewed his quid, And said to Billy Bowline: "A strong nor'-wester's blowing, Bill, Hark! don't ye hear it roar now! Lord help 'em, how I pities them Unhappy folks on shore now. "Foolhardy chaps as live in towns, What danger they are all in, And now lie quaking in their beds, For fear the roof should fall in! Poor creatures, how they envies us, And wishes, I've a notion, For our good luck in such a storm, To be upon the ocean! "And as for them that's out all day, On business from their houses, And late at night returning home, To cheer their babes and spouses; While you and I, Bill, on the deck Are comfortably lying, My eyes! what tiles and chimney-pots About their heads are flying! "Both you and I have oft-times heard How men are killed and undone, By overturns from carriages, By thieves, and fires in London. We know what risks these landsmen run, From noblemen to tailors; Then, Bill, let us thank Providence That you and I are sailors." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS by HENRY GLASSFORD BELL THE SONG OF FIONNUALA by THOMAS MOORE BRITANNIA'S PASTORALS: BOOK 1. TO WILLIAM, EARL OF PEMBROKE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) OATS WILD TURN MILD by THRALL BUELL EPIGRAM ON SAID OCCASION by ROBERT BURNS BIRTHDAYS AND MILESTONES by KATE M. CHIDESTER |