Digital Tradition Mirror

Tom Bowling

Tom Bowling
(Charles Dibdin)

 Here a sheer hulk, lies poor Tom Bowling
 The darling of our crew;
 No more he'll hear the tempest howling
 For death has broached him to.
 His form was of the manliest beauty, his heart was kind and soft;
 Faithful below, Tom did his duty
 And now he's gone aloft
 And now he's gone aloft

 Tom never from his word departed
 His virtues were so rare:
 His friends were many and true hearted
 His Poll was kind and fair;
 And then he'd sing so blithe and jolly
 Ah! Many's the time and oft;
 But mirth is turn'd to melancholy
 For Tom is gone aloft
 For Tom is gone aloft

 Yet shall poor Tom find pleasant weather
 When He who all commands
 Shall give, to call life's crew together
 The word to pipe all hands:
 Thus Death, who kings and tars despatches
 In vain Tom's life hath doff'd
 For tho' his body's under hatches
 His soul is gone aloft
 His soul is gone aloft

 Charles Dibdin (1745-1814)

Dibdin wrote a great many popular songs in his time
(over 1000, apparantly) and contributed more than most
to the development of the Pantomime.

MD
apr00

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!