From the Main Yard

Haul the sheets hard boys
Haul them full hard 
Pull the line tight boys
We'll hang old Boney
From the main yard

Empty that ale jug
Leave Kitty's bed
Gather your bag, Jack
It's time you fled

Haul the sheets hard boys
Haul them full hard
Pull the line tight boys
We'll hang old Boney
From the main yard

Away from Spice Island
We'll have to fly
Kiss Molly farewell, Jack
Wipe that tear from her eye

Haul the sheets hard boys
Haul them full hard 
Pull the line tight boys
We'll hang old Boney
From the main yard

Up from the table
Put Sally aside
She'll forget you, Jack
By turn of the tide

Haul the sheets hard boys
Haul them full hard 
Pull the line tight boys
We'll hang old Boney
From the main yard

We'll sail past the Point
Liza stands there
She'll have a babe, Jack
With your fair hair

Haul the sheets hard boys
Haul them full hard 
Pull the line tight boys
We'll hang old Boney
From the main yard

Out past the Needles
Wish England adieu
Clear for action, Jack
We've work to do

Haul the sheets hard boys
Haul them full hard 
Pull the line tight boys
We'll hang old Boney
From the main yard

~

n.b. NaPoWriMo 2023. Day 10 prompt, sea shanty, me beauties. Aagh haargh!

• Old Boney: Napoleon Bonaparte
• Jack: Familiar name for a naval rating.
• Spice Island: That part of Portsmouth where matelots spent shore leave and the Navy press-ganged recruits.
• The Point: Portsmouth Point
• The Needles: Three chalk stacks that stand west of The Isle of Wight, before a ship enters the English Channel.
• Clear for action: An order to tidy decks, stow breakables, ensure space is free to load, fire and reload the ship’s guns.
• Adieu: A French word for farewell, used here ironically.

CLP 10/04/2023