I saw a ship a-sailing, a-sailing, a-sailing, With emeralds and rubies and sapphires in her hold; And a bosun in a blue coat bawling at the railing, Piping a silver call that had a chain of gold; The summer wind was failing and the tall ship rolled. I saw a ship a-steering, a-steering, a-steering, With roses in red thread worked upon her sails; With sacks of purple amethysts, the spoils of buccaneering, Skins of musky yellow wine, and silks in bales, Her merry men were cheering, hauling on the brails. I saw a ship a-sinking, a-sinking, a-sinking, With glittering sea-water splashing on her decks, With seamen in her spirit-room singing songs and drinking, Pulling claret bottles down, and knocking off the necks, The broken glass was chinking as she sank among the wrecks.
Three Songs
Song Cycle by Tom Dobson (1890 - 1918)
?. An old song re‑sung  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Authorship:
- by John Masefield (1878 - 1967), "An old song re-sung", appears in Ballads and Poems, first published 1910
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Researcher for this page: Ted PerryTotal word count: 133