by Charles Dibdin (1745 - 1814)
Language: English
Here, a sheer hulk, lies poor Tom Bowling, The darling of our crew; No more he'll hear the tempest howling, For death has broached him to. His form was of the manliest beauty, His heart was kind and soft. Faithful below, Tom did his duty, And now he's gone aloft. Tom never from his word departed, His virtues were so rare; His friends were many and true-hearted, His Poll was kind and fair: And then he'd sing so blithe and jolly, Ah! many's the time and oft; But mirth is turned to melancholy, For Tom is gone aloft. Yet shall poor Tom find pleasant weather, When He, who all commands, Shall give, to call life's crew together. The word to pipe all hands: Thus death, who kings and tars despatches, In vain Tom's life hath doffed; For though his body's under hatches, His soul is gone aloft.
Composition:
- Set to music by Charles Dibdin (1745 - 1814), "Tom Bowling"
Text Authorship:
- by Charles Dibdin (1745 - 1814)
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Tom Bowling", copyright © 2024, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Tom Bowling", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 147