Digital Tradition Mirror

Topman and Afterguard

Topman and Afterguard

As a topman and an afterguard was a-walkin' one day,
Says the topman to the afterguard, I mean for to pray,
For the rights of all sailors and the wrongs of all men,
And whatever I do pray for, you must answer, amen!

First I'll pray for the bosun with his little stick;
Who bawls out, all hands, then gives us a lick,
Strikes many a brave fellow and kicks him amain
May the devil double triple damn him, says the afterguard, amen!

Then I'll pray for the purser who gives us to eat,
Spew-burgoo, rank butter and musty horse meat,
With weevily old biscuit, while he gets the gain,
May the devil double triple damn him, says the afterguard, amen!

Then I'll pray for them navy officers who hold up our due,
We're owed three years' wages and prize money, too,
And it's, you can't have it yet, jack, try next voyage again,
May the devil double triple damn him, says the afterguard, amen!

Then the last thing I'll pray for is a jug of good beer,
For the lord sent the liquor our spirits to cheer,
And where we have one pot, I wish we had ten,
And never never want for grog, my boy, says the afterguard, amen!

JY

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!