I'm just from
Portsmouth come to town
Where such a
rumpus ne'er was
known
For the tars were up and their captains down:
'Twas a very
pretty piece of fun;
For they
vowed that he who
danger braves
Should scud in
freedom o'er the waves,
That
sailors should no more be slaves,
They'd all sing, Fal la la la la
Fal la la la la lay
The captains then all struck with fear,
Quacked such a loud complaint to hear,
For well they knew the facts were clear
And sailors scorn to flinch.
Then from each ship was sent a boat
In spite of the captains' fine lace coat
And a free convention formed afloat
Where they sang Fal la la la la
Fal la la la la lay
To Whitehall then the news was sent
About this naval parliament,
And our five sea lords to council went,
All trembling with dismay.
But oh 'twould have made a dead man laugh
To see how busy was the telegraph
While signals flew about like chaff,
And Jack sang, Fal la la la la
Fal la la la la lay
Then off went Spencer's noble lord
And promised on his sacred word -
And as he hoped he'd shun the cord -
That all should be redressed.
My lord, says Jack, though so brisk you skip,
You know not the stem from the stern of a ship
So pray take to London another trip,
While we sing, Fal la la la la
Fal la la la la lay
Then a gracious proclamation came
From the wisest head-piece in the land
And promised, though Jack was to blame,
He'd freely be forgiven.
Damn me, sayd Jack, if I care a pin,
To leave good work half done's a sin;
And we'll go through now we're fairly in,
Then we'll sing, Fal la la la la
Fal la la la la lay
Dismayed, the lords now changed their course -
In vain was trickery or force -
And, lest the business might grow worse,
They humbly acquiesced.
Then Jack with joy the news received,
Though fearful yet of being deceived,
And though he scarce their words believed,
Yet he sang, Fal la la la la
Fal la la la la lay
Now Jack no more a tyrant's slave,
Proudly ploughs the briny wave,
And teaches Britons that the brave,
May, if they will, be free.
For Heaven will prosper their intent
And soon will come the bless'd event
When, like the floating parliament,
We'll all sing, Fal la la la la
Fal la la la la lay
(English sea shanty -- original authorship unknown)