Sailor’s Consolation

One night came on a hurricane
The seas were mountains rolling
When Barney Buntline turned his quid
And said to Billy Bowline:
"A strong nor'wester's blowing, Bill
Hark! Don't you hear it roar now?
Lord help them! How I pities all
Unhappy folks ashore now."

"Foolhardy chaps who lives in town;
What dangers they are all in
And they're quaking in their beds
For fear the roof should fall in
Poor creatures, how they envy us
And wish, as I've a notion
For our good luck in such a storm
To be out on 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
Around 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.”