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NOTE — This song has been recorded under the Sunphone label and
can be heard on the CD MORE Music from the Works of James Joyce.

The Lass That Loves a Sailor

Composed by Charles Dibdin (1740-1814)
Digitized by Lesley Nelson-Burns

Portrait of Charles Dibdin.

About the Composer

The eighteenth son of a poor silversmith, Charles Dibdin rose to became resident composer at Covent Garden, London. In 1803 the British government paid him to write a series of songs to "keep alive the national feelings against the French." Dibdin's songs were said to be worth ten thousand sailors to the cause of England. His songs were also popular in Canada and the United States before and during the American Revolution and throughout the War of 1812.

For additional information on this composer, see Lesley Nelson-Burns' short biography of Dibdin.

Lyrics

The moon on the ocean was dimmed by a ripple
Affording a chequered delight;
The gay jolly tars passed a word for the tipple,
And the toast — for 'twas Saturday night:
Some sweetheart or wife he loved as his life
Each drank, and wished he could hail her:
But the standing toast that pleased the most
Was "The wind that blows,
The Ship that goes,
And the lass that loves a sailor!"

Some drank "The Queen," and some her brave ships,
And some "The Constitution";
Some "May our foes, and all such rips,
Yield to English resolution!"
That fate might bless some Poll or Bess,
And that they soon might hail her:
But the standing toast that pleased the most
Was "The wind that blows,
The Ship that goes,
And the lass that loves a sailor!"

Some drank "The Prince," and some "Our Land,"
This glorious land of freedom!
Some that our tars may never stand
For heroes brave to lead them!
That she who's in distress may find,
Such friends as ne'er will fail her.
But the standing toast that pleased the most
Was "The wind that blows,
The Ship that goes,
And the lass that loves a sailor!"

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