Bill Adams Poems on Water (5 Poems)

I’ve Been Dreamin’ (Bill Adams Poems)

I’ve been dreamin’,Of a randy, dandy clipper with her tops’ls set,Pitchin’ heavy down the westin’ with the leeches wet.Bill Newland, the old skipper, from his high bridge head,Shoutin’ to us packet rats — an’ these the words he said:“Hop along, … Continue reading →

All Hands On Deck (Bill Adams Poems)

Rouse out, you sleepers! Come, now, rise and shine!How would you like to hear that cry again?You rolled into your bunk at eight, and now it’s nine!You hear the wind, the lashing of the rain;You thought they’d let you sleep … Continue reading →

Billy Peg-leg’s Fiddle (Bill Adams Poems)

I’ve a pal called Billy Peg-leg, with one leg a wood leg,And Billy’ he’s a ship’s cook and lives upon the sea;And hanging by his griddleOld Billy keeps a fiddleFor fiddling in the dog-watchWhen the moon is on the sea. … Continue reading →

Bound Away (Bill Adams Poems)

A three-skysail yarder with her hatches battened down,And the grey sky up above her, and the Mersey’s muddy brownA-rippling at her forefoot. The red stack tug’s ahead,And the chanteyman is singing in a voice to wake the dead.The windlass pawls … Continue reading →

Man In The Sea (Bill Adams Poems)

If ever you’ve heard it ringing, wild from the mast and clear,If you’ve seen the watches running, their faces blanched with fear,If you’ve heard the splash in the water, and the rush as the boat swings free,Then you know the … Continue reading →