ON BOARD A MAN-OF-WAR

Well as I were a-walking a London street
A press gang there I chanced to meet
They asked me if I'd join the fleet
On board a Man-of-War boys

Said I brother shipmates, tell me true
What kind of treatment they gives to you
That I may know before I go
On board a Man-of-War, boys

Well the first thing they did they took me in 'and
They flogged me with the tar of a strand
They flogged me till I could not stand
On board a Man-of-War, boys

Then they 'ung me up by my two thumbs
Then they flogged me till the blood did run
And that's the usage they gave to me
On board a Man-of-War,boys

Well I 'ad a wife and 'er name was Grey
'T were 'er that led me to shocking delay
'T were 'er that caused me to go away
On board a Man-o-War, boys

Ah but if ever I get me feet on shore
To see them London girls once more
I'll never go to sea anymore
On board a Man-o-War, boys

from the singing of Danny Spooner