The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #57772   Message #3924931
Posted By: Lighter
16-May-18 - 10:41 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Sailors' Alphabet
Subject: Lyr Add: SAILOR'S ALPHABET
This version appeared in the Duluth [Minn.] News Tribune (Oct. 6, 1921), p. 6:

A is for Anchor, the weight you know how. [sic
B is for Binnacle, Bowsprit, and Bow.

C is for Compass, which tells where to steer.
D is for Deck where the sailors appear.

E is for Engine that makes the ship go.
F is for Flag flying while the winds blow.

G is for Gangplank to enter the ship.
H is for Hold, well-laden for the trip.

I is for Iceberg from far northern trail. [sic
J is for Jib, a triangular sail.

K is for Keel on the ship's underside.
L is for Lighthouse, the sailor's true guide.

M is for Mast, and Mainsail and Mate.
N is for Navy and for Nav-i-gate.

O is for Ocean whose waves roll and toss.
P is for Pilot, the ship's guide across.

Q is for Quarterdeck back of the mainmast.
R is for Rigging of rope or of chain fast.

S is for Ship and for Sailor, you know.
T is for Tide of two kinds - high and low.

U is for Undertow flowing to sea.
V is for Voyage to place we would be.

W's Wharf where we land at the slip.
X is for Xebec, a quaint foreign ship.

Y is for Yacht, and also for Yawl.
Z is for Zest that a trip gives for all.


Printed on the poetry page without title, author, or comment,

Someone's attempt, apparently, to avoid as many of the more common alphabetized words as possible.