Classic Poem

As I walked down yon meadow, I carelessly did stray,
There I beheld a lady fair with some young sailor gay.
He said, ‘My lovely Susan, I soon must leave the shore
For to fight for England's glory in a British man-of-war.

‘O Susan, lovely Susan, the truth to you I tell,
The British flag is insulted, old England knows it well.
It may be crowned with laurels, then like a jolly tar
I will face the wars in China in a British man-of-war.’

‘O sailor, do not venture to face the proud Chinese
For they will prove as treacherous as any Portuguese,
And by some deadly dagger you may get a scar;
Then turn your inclination from a British man-of-war.’

‘O Susan, lovely Susan, the time away will pass,
So come down to the Ferry House and take a parting glass.
My shipmates they are waiting to take me from the shore
For to cross the briny ocean in a British man-of-war.’

The sailor took his handkerchief and tore it fair in two,
Saying, ‘Susan, keep one part for me and I'll do the same for you.’
The bullets they surrounded us and cannons loudly roared
And young Susan blessed her sailor on a British man-of-war.

Then a few more words together and her love let go her hand.
The noble crew did launch the boat so merrily from the land.
The sailor waved his handkerchief when he got far from shore
And young Susan loved her sailor on a British man-of-war.