This song is apparently an old Music Hall song, probably from the early 20th century but I've never seen it in print or heard any mention of it, other than from the source. I'm curious if anyone else is familar with it, and can provide verse variations or background notes. It makes a nice campanion piece with the better known Chivalrous Shark

THE PEARL DIVER

(Learned from the singing of Dennis Puleston of Brookhaven, Long Island, NY, in the 1950's.)

Rich men who go to Woolworth's
Buying treasures for their girls,
Little dream of all the perils
Of those who dive for pearls.

See the diver in the ocean
Fighting with the octopus,
While the cruel sharks lie waiting,
Saying: "Here's a meal for us!"

And the rich man drives by
In his carriage en pair,
Little does he care,
Little does he care,
Though the diver cries "Help!"
He heedeth him not
But tells his man in livery
"Drive on at a trot!"

Quickly the lifeboat
Puts out from the shore,
But it's too late,
He meets a cruel fate;
In the shark's inner organs
He breaths a last prayer,
While the rich man drives by –
In his carriage en pair.

^^ Lovely sentiment for Valentine's day!