Has a love of adventure, a promise of gold
Or an ardent desire to roam
Ever tempted you far o'er the watery world
And away from your kindred and home?
With a storm beaten captain, free hearted and bold,
And a score of brave fellows or two,
Inured to the hardship of hunger and cold
And a fearless and jolly good crew?
Have you ever stood watch where Diego's bold shore
Looms up from the Antarctic wave,
Where the snowy plumed albatross merrily soars
Over many a mariner's grave?
Have you heard the masthead's man sing out, "There she blows!",
Seen the boats gaily leave the ship's side,
Or the giant fish breach 'neath the harpooner's blows
Till the blue sea with crimson was dyed?
Have you seen the foam fly, when the mighty right whale,
Thus boldly attacked in his lair,
With a terrible blow of his ponderous tail
Sent the boat spinning up in the air?
Or where the green isles of the evergreen glades
Are teeming with dainties so rare,
Have you ever made love 'neath the cocoa's green shade
To the sweet sunny maids that dwell there?
Let those who delight in the comforts of home
And the joys of a warm fireside,
Who dream it a peril the ocean to roam
In the cots of their fathers abide.
Though not a day nearer we reckon our death,
Though daily we sport o'er our graves.
No sweeter they'll slumber beneath the green sod
Than we in the boisterous waves.
Have you ever joined in in the boisterous shout
Reaching far through the heaven's blue dome,
When rich in the spoils you have purchased so dear
You have hoisted your topsails for home?
Or when the dark hills of Columbia arose
From out the blue waves of the main,
Have you ever relived the unspeakable joy
Of meeting with loved ones again?