In every mess I find a friend, / In every port a wife.
Then trust me there's nothing like drinking, So pleasant on this side of the grave: It keeps the unhappy from thinking, And makes e'en the valiant more brave
Here, a sheer hulk, lies poor Tom Bowling,/ The darling of our crew.
Faithful, below, he did his duty; / But now he's gone aloft.
The lass that loves a sailor.
Did you ever hear of Captain Wattle? / He was all for love and a little for the bottle.
For they say there's a Providence sits up aloft,/ To keep watch for the life of poor Jack!
There 's a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft, To keep watch for the life of poor Jack.
life
His form was of the manliest beauty, His heart was kind and soft; Faithful below he did his duty, But now he 's gone aloft.
beauty duty
For a soldier I listed, to grow great in fame. And be shot at for sixpence a day.
fame
Spanking Jack was so comely, so pleasant, so jolly, Though winds blew great guns, still he 'd whistle and sing; Jack loved his friend, and was true to his Molly, And if honour gives greatness, was great as a king.
greatness