A Kings Shilling

Outstretched hands above the waves Condemed to deep the cannons slaves Before the mast they took their place And take the cat at drumbeats pace The Kings shilling and a tot of rum Cannons hauled to the roll of drum Sawdust strewn the blood to soak Sweating palms but hearts of oak A head of sail, battle flags fly Such gallant men will fear defy Ball and shot know not age Only battle named on histories page Splintered timbers, blooded deck The surgeons knife hath no respect Many a man cheated Netunes door Many a man shall cheat no mre A plank, a flag, a final prayer Young and old to sea they stare Wind it carries the Sirens song Canvassed souls, the deep belong Men of duty, born of salt The Oceans pull cannot halt That these brave men rule the waves That we be free and not as slaves