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Title
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Guilty sea captain
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Singer
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Sawyer, David [Phoebus]
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Song Lyrics
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Verse 1
We were all in good health when the ship left the bay,
Our hearts were light and our ship was gay;
Well rigged and painted, just fit for the sea,
Bound for New York and America.
Verse 2
As our captain all in his cabin lay,
A voice spoke to him, and thus did say;
'Prepare yourself, with your ship's company,
For tomorrow night you shall lie with me.'
Verse 3
Our captain awoke in a terrible fright,
It being the first watch of the night;
Then aloud for the boatswain he did call,
And to him he told his secrets all.
Verse 4
'Boatswain,' he said, 'it grieves me to the heart,
To think I have acted a villain's part;
To take what is not my lawful due,
And to starve my passengers and my ship's crew.
Verse 5
Another thing I have thee to tell,
When in Liverpool I did dwell;
I murdered my master dear,
All for the sake of his lady fair.
Verse 6
I killed my wife and my children three,
All for that cursed jealousy;
And on my servant I laid the blame,
And he was hanged all for the same.'
Verse 7
'Captain,' said he, 'If this be so,
I pray, let none of the ship's crew know;
But keep the secret within your breast,
And pray that God may give you rest.'
Verse 8
Early the next morning a storm did rise,
Which did our seamen much surprise;
The boatswain he did then declare,
That the captain he was a murderer.
Verse 9
Our sails were rent, our rigging torn,
Our good ship was almost gone;
We held a conference and lots we drew,
And overboard the captain threw.
Verse 10
Our cruel captain as you will find,
Left a half of our provisions behind;
Our cruel captain, as you shall understand,
Meant to starve us all before we got to land.
