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Emigration & farewells

Henry & Mary Ann

(15) Henry & Mary Ann

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            Henry & Mary Ann.

Farewell my dearest Henry, since you to sea must go,
To plough the raging ocean, and face the daring foe,
O, think of your poor Mary Ann, when on a foreign shore
You've promised there is none but me you ever can adore
Then take this pledge of love—'tis a ring I broke in two,
One half then I may keep myself that I may think of you
My love I'm sure I cannot change, be false I never can,
One kiss my dear before we part, be true to Mary Ann.

From childhood we have loved, but since it must be so,
That you have chose a sailor's life, mild may the breezes
blow,                                                          (shore,
And waive my own dear Henry safe back to England's
Tis then we shall be married love, I hope to part no more,
Then go my jolly sailor, my heart still beats for thee,
O may kind fortune spare your life in all danger you go
through,
So do your duty manfully, let virtue guide your hand,
To return to bless your faithful girl, your own dear Mary
Ann.

'Twas early the next morning just at the break of day,
The order came to go on board and quick sail out for sea,
The boatswain piped all hands aloft, my lads come haste
away,                                                       (the bay
The anchor's weighed, the gallant ship sailed proudly thro
Then to foreign lands, far away from home they steer,
Some think on their sweethearts & some their parents dear
And each unto his pretty girl, they toss the flowing can,
Hurrah! my boys, young Henry cries, here's to Mary Ann

And when upon the ocean, where seas rose mountains high
Young Henry he was first aloft, all dangers did defy,
Respected by his officers, beloved by all the crew,
A smarter sailor never stept, or wore a jacket blue,
It was his happy fortune his captain for to save,
Upon the coast of Africa while struggling with the wave,
He threw himself into the sea where both about were toss'd
The boat it came, one moment more, his life would be lost.

They cruised about in different parts for three long years
or more,                                                      (shore,
At length the order came on board to sail for England's
Into that land that gave them birth with all they held dear,
All perils past, the ship at last, into the port did steer.
the ship it laid in harbour, and then the jolly crew,
they gave three cheers at parting, each other bid adieu,
the captain gave him fifty pounds & took him by the hand,
the day young Henry married was unto his Mary Ann.

A GOOD-LOOKING

Give ear you pretty maidens gay,
And married women too,
I will tell you how you'll happy live,
And wade all troubles through ;
If you will lead a wedded life,
Now plainly understand,
Don't you ever fall in love,
With a good looking man.

When I was sixteen years of age,
A damsel in my prime,
I daily thought of a wedded life,
And so just at that time,
I gazed upon a blooming youth,
To have him was my plan,
And very soon I married was
To my good-looking man.

When scarce three weeks I'd married been
One Sunday afternoon,
The sun went down, the ground was dark,
Off went the honeymoon ;
My spousy by himself walked out,
To follow was my plan,
When soon a lady I did see,
With my good-looking man.

They kiss'd and toy'd and tales of love,
They did each other tell,
Thinks I my boy when you get home
I'll tan your hide right well ;
They never did me once behold,
As you shall understand,
So I went home to anxious wait,
For my good looking man.

Just as the clock was striking ten,
My gentleman walked home,
I gently said my William dear,
Wherever did you roam,
To church said he, you lie said I,
Your roguery do not plan,
With the rolling-pin I smashed away,
At my good-looking man.

I blacked his eyes, I broke his head,
And in ribbons the his clothes,
I then took up the poker,
And laid that across his nose !
He look'd just like a chimney-sweep,
When out of doors he ran,
And the devil a lady fell in love,
With my good-looking man.

So women all take my advic,
Of high and low degree,
If you a rakish husband get,
Pitch into him like me ;
When I found out I was deceived,
I thought it was the plan,
To play the truant just as well,
As any good-looking man.

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