C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Sea Song

I SAILED in the good ship the Kitty,

With a smart blowing gale and rough sea;

Left my Polly, the lads call so pretty,

Safe at her anchor. Yo, Yea!

She blubbered salt tears when we parted,

And cried “Now be constant to me!”

I told her not to be down-hearted,

So up went the anchor. Yo, Yea!

And from that time, no worse nor no better,

I’ve thought on just nothing but she,

Nor could grog nor flip make me forget her,—

She’s my best bower-anchor. Yo, Yea!

When the wind whistled larboard and starboard,

And the storm came on weather and lee,

The hope I with her should be harbored

Was my cable and anchor. Yo, Yea!

And yet, my boys, would you believe me?

I returned with no rhino from sea;

Mistress Polly would never receive me,

So again I heav’d anchor. Yo, Yea!