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OLD IRONSIDES AT ANCHOR LAY Words: George Morris ~
Music:
B. Covert
Old
Ironsides at anchor lay
In
the
A
dead calm rested on the bay,
The
waves to sleep had gone;
When
little Jack, the captain's son,
With
gallant hardihood Climb'd deck and spar and then upon
The
maintruck rose and stood.
A
shudder ran through ev'ry vein,
All
eyes were turn'd on high,
There
stood the boy with dizzy brain, Between the sea and sky.
No
hold had he, above below,
Alone
he stood in air,
At
that far height none dar'd to go,
No
aid could reach him there!
We gaz'd, but not a man could speak
With
horror all aghast,
In
groups, with pallid brow and cheek,
We watch'd the quiv'ring mast;
The
atmosphere grew thick and hot,
And
of a lurid hue,
As,
riveted unto the spot, Stood officers and crew.
The
father came on deck - he gasp'd, "Oh God! thy will be done!"
Then
suddenly a rifle grasp'd
And
aim'd it at his son;
"Jump
far out, boy! into the wave!
Jump,
or I fire,!" he said:
"That
only chance your life can save! Jump, jump boy!" -- He obey'd.
He sank,
he rose, he liv'd, he mov'd.
He
for the ship struck out!
On
board we hail'd the lad belov'd,
With
many and manly shout;
His
father drew in silent joy
Those
wet arms round his neck,
Then
folded to his heart the boy,
And
fainted on the deck!
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The Captain’s Clerk |
