John Breslin

“ I’m Irish if you like, and perhaps my name is Mike, I’m a land-crab, and but little of a sailor; From the Western whaling ground, all safe and homeward bound, On board a little, saucy Yankee whaler. [Pg 16] You may say I’ve lots of cheek, aye, and maybe call me Greek, Though I never knew Omega yet from Alpha; But I’ve sailed the world around, on the goose you’ll find I’m sound, And I’ve cruised aboard the gallant old Catalpa. Pass the bottle, if you please, now we’re sitting at our ease, Let us moisten up till song flows ripe and mellow ”

“ There are two trotting teams on the Rockingham road, From the gloom of a prison each bearing its load, And full hearts are beating with freedom and joy, As they sweep ’round the sand hills and through the Blackboy. With the sunlight of Hope every face is aglow ”

“ We never cracked a lay, on our course still bore away, And he found we wouldn’t scare worth a cent; So another dodge he tried, but we knew the beggar lied, When he said he’d orders from our government. Then like a puffing pig, he strutted very big, On his quarter-deck, and loudly gave us warning, That he’d blow us to the devil, which wasn’t very civil To lads who’d been up early in the morning. ”

“ See! the daylight ’round us dying on the black breast of the gale; See! the lightning flash above us, and the dark surge roll below; Here’s a health to those who love us, here’s defiance to the foe.
Rolling home, etc., etc. [Pg 11]
Now the wide Atlantic cleaving, with our good ship speeding free, The dull “Cape of storms” we’re leaving far to eastward on our lee; And as homeward through the waters on the old Catalpa goes, Ho! ”