The praise of sailors here set forth, With the hard Fortunes which do befall them on the Seas, when Landmen sheep safe on their beds.  
To a pleasant new tune.  
 

AS I lay musing in my bed,  
full warm and well at ease,  
I thought upon the lodgings hard  
poor sailors had at Seas.   

They hide it out with hunger and cold  
and many a bitter blast,  
And many times constrained they are  
for to cut down their Mast,   

Their Victuals and their Ordinance  
and aught else that they have,  
They throw it over board with speed,  
and seek their lives to save,   

When as the raging Seas do foam,  
and lofty winds do blow,  
The sailors they go to the top,  
when Land-men stay below.   

Our Master's Mate takes helm in hand  
his course he steers full well.  
When as the lofty winds do blow  
and raging Seas do swell.   

Our Master to his Compass goes,  
so well he plies his charge,  
He sends a Youth unto them amain  
for to unsling the Yard.   

The Boatson he's under the Deck,  
a man of courage bold,  
To th' top, to th' top my lively Lads,  
hold fast my hearts of gold.   

The pilot he stands on the Clain  
with a Line and a Lead so sound  
To see how far and near they are  
from any dangerous ground,   

It is a testimonial good,  
we are not far from Land,  
There sits a Mermaid on the Rock  
with comb and glass in hand.   

Our Captain he is on the poop  
a man of might and power.  
And look when raging Seas do gaps  
our bodies to devour.   

Our royal ship to run to rack,  
that was so stout and trim,  
And some are put unto their shifts  
either to sink or swim.   
 

Our ship that was before so good,  
and eke likewise so trim,  
Is now with raging Seas grown leakt  
and water fast comes in.   

The quartermaster is a man,  
so well his charge plies he,  
He calls them to the Pomp a main  
to keep their leakt ship free.   

And many dangers likewise they  
do many times endure,  
When as they meet their enemies  
that come with might and power   

And seek their lives likewise to take  
their lives and eke their goods,  
Thus sailors they sometimes endure  
upon the surging floods.   

But when as they do come to Land,  
and homewards safe return.  
They are most good fellows all,  
and scorn ever to mourn.   

And likewise they will call for wine,  
and score it on the post.  
For sailors they are honest men  
and love to pay their Oast.   

For sailors they be honest men  
and they do take great pains,  
When Landed men and ruffling Lads  
do rob them of their grains.   

Our sailors they work night and day  
their man-hood for to try.  
When Landed men and ruffling Jacks  
do in their Cabins lie.   

Therefore let all good minded men,  
give ear unto my Song,  
And say also as well as I  
Sailors deserve no wrong,   

Thus have I done for sailor's sake  
in token of good will,  
It ever I can do them good,  
I will be ready still,   

God bless them eke by Sea and Land  
and also other men,  
And as my Song beginning had  
so must it have an end,    

Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and W. Gilbertson.