The Ship In Distress
TRADITIONAL
You seamen all who plow the ocean see dangers landsmen never know
In the blusterous wind in the great dark water our ship went drifting on the sea
Her headgear gone and her rudder broken which brought us to extremity.
For 14 days heartsore and hungry . . . Poor fellows they stood in a totter
A-casting lots as to which should die
The lot it fell onto Robert Jackson whose family was so very great
I am free to die but oh my comrades
Let me keep look out till the break of day
A full-dressed ship like the sun a-glittering
Came bearing down into their relief
As soon as this glad news was shouted
It banished all their care and grief
You seamen all who sail the ocean
Pray you never suffer like again
