James H. Williams (1864-1927) went to sea in 1876. From "The Independent," July 8, 1909:

Oh whisky is the life of man!
Whisky! Johnny!
It always was since time began;
Oh, whisky for the [sic] Johnny!

[similarly, incl."the":]

Oh, whisky straight and whisky strong;...
Give me some whisky and I'll sing you a song;...

Oh, whisky made me wear old clo's,...
Oh, whisky gave me a broken nose,....

If whisky comes too near my nose;...
I tip her up and down she goes!...

I think I heard our Old Man say,...
"I'll treat my men in a decent way."

"I'll treat my men in a decent way!"...
"I'll grog them all three times a day!"...

Here comes the cook, with the whisky can!...
And a glass o' grog for every man;...

A glass of [sic] grog for every man!...
And a bottle full for the chantie man;...