The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #42245   Message #4207071
Posted By: Lighter
15-Aug-24 - 11:37 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Cruising round Yarmouth
Subject: RE: Origins: Cruising round Yarmouth
Thanks for that, Steve. But if I were a 17th century rakehell, I'd probably sing "port."

In "The Seamans Wives ranting Resolution, OR,
Make use of time, while time serves" (1681), an adulterous wife gloats over putting cuckold's horns on her seafaring husband's head. There isn't much naval imagery, but here it is:

Little thinks my own Good-man,
that my Sails are spread Jo,
Little thinks my own Good-man
that my Sails are spread Jo,
We will do the best we can                                 
In the Rear and in the Van.
Couragio, etc.

It's no accident that such songs began to proliferate during the new literary freedom of the Restoration.