The Sailor’s Consolation

William Pitt (d. 1840)

ONE night came on a hurricane,

The sea was mountains rolling,

When Barney Buntline turned his quid,

And said to Billy Bowling:

“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 who live in towns,

What danger they are all in,

And now lie quaking in their beds,

For fear the roof shall 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 who ’re out all day

On business from their houses,

And late at night are coming 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!

“And very often have we heard

How men are killed and undone

By overturns of carriages,

By thieves and fires in London.

We know what risks all landsmen run,

From noblemen to tailors;

Then, Bill, let us thank Providence

That you and I are sailors.”