Charles Dibdin. 1745-1814.
There 's a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft,
To keep watch for the life of poor Jack.
Poor Jack.
Did you ever hear of Captain Wattle?
He was all for love, and a little for the bottle.
Captain Wattle and Miss Roe.
His form was of the manliest beauty,
His heart was kind and soft;
Faithful below he did his duty,
But now he 's gone aloft.
Tom Bowling.
For though his body 's under hatches,
His soul has gone aloft.
Tom Bowling.
Spanking Jack was so comely, so pleasant, so jolly,
Though winds blew great guns, still he 'd whistle and sing;
Jack loved his friend, and was true to his Molly,
And if honour gives greatness, was great as a king.
The Sailor's Consolation.[436:2]
Footnotes
[436:2] A song with this title, beginning, "One night came on a hurricane," was written by William Pitt, of Malta, who died in 1840.
[437]