by John Masefield (1878 - 1967)
Hell's pavement See original
Language: English
"When I'm discharged at Liverpool 'n' draws my bit o' pay, I won't come to sea no more; I'll court a pretty little lass 'n' have a weddin' day, 'N' settle somewhere down shore; I'll never fare to sea again a-temptin' Davy Jones, A-hearkening to the cruel sharks a-hungerin' for my bones; I'll run a blushin' dairy-farm or go a-crackin' stones, Or buy 'n' keep a little liquor-store." So he said. They towed her in to Liverpool, we made the hooker fast, And the copper-bound officials paid the crew, And Billy drew his money, but the money didn't last, For he painted the alongshore blue, It was rum for Poll, and rum for Nan, and gin for Jolly Jack; He shipped a week later in the clothes upon his back; He had to pinch a little straw, he had to beg a sack To sleep on, when his watch was through, So he did.
First published in Speaker, September 1902
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Mike Pearson
Composition:
- Set to music by J. Frederick Keel (1871 - 1954), "Hell's pavement" [ voice and piano ], from Four Salt-Water Ballads, no. 1
Text Authorship:
- by John Masefield (1878 - 1967), "Hell's pavement", appears in Salt Water Ballads, first published 1902
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Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Mike Pearson
This text was added to the website: 2008-12-30
Line count: 18
Word count: 155