THREE fair-haired youths sailed out to sea, John and James and little Willyum; And they were sick as sick could be, John and James and little Willyum. Said James: "This is bad." Said John: "This is sad." But little Willyum, he said: "Gol dum." These fair-haired youths were led to smile, John and James and little Willyum; For they hoped that liquor might calm their bile, John and James and little Willyum. Said John: "Currant wine." Said James: "Cider's mine." But little Willyum, he said: "Drink rum." These fair-haired youths got safe to shore, John and James and little Willyum; And they swore an oath that they'd sail no more, John and James and little Willyum. John went to his bed, James went to be fed; But little Willyum, he went on a bum. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONG OF THE WAVE by ROBERT FROST A PORTRAIT OF MY ROOF by JAMES GALVIN GOOD-BYE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON QUESTION by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SPRINGTIME by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE DAY OF THE DEAD SOLDIERS; MARY 30, 1869 by EMMA LAZARUS THE SPARROW HARK IN THE RAIN (ALEXANDER STEPHENS HEARS NEWS) by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |