All coiled down, an’ it’s time for us to go;
Every sail’s furled in a neat harbour stow;
Another ship for me, an’ for her another crew —
An’ so long, sailorman — good luck to you!
Fun an’ friends I wish you till the pay’s all gone —
Pleasure when you spend it an’ content when it’s done —
An’ a chest that’s not empty when you go back to sea,
An’ a better ship than she’s been — an’ a truer pal than me.
A good berth I wish you, in a ship that’s well found,
With a decent crowd forrard, an’ her gear all sound,
Spars a man can trust to when it’s comin’ on to blow,
An’ no bosun bawlin’ when it’s your watch below.
A good Trade I wish you, an’ a fair landfall,
Neither fog, nor iceberg, nor long calm, nor squall,
A pleasant port to come to, when the work’s all through —
An’ so long, sailorman … good luck to you.
(Cicely Fox Smith)
More Poetry from Cicely Fox Smith:
Cicely Fox Smith Poems based on Topics: Man, Fairness, Work & Career, Pleasure- The Quest Of The Queen (Cicely Fox Smith Poems)
- Missing (Cicely Fox Smith Poems)
- The Rhyme Of The Four Strong Men (Cicely Fox Smith Poems)
- Resurrection (Cicely Fox Smith Poems)
- The King's Grief (Cicely Fox Smith Poems)
- The Three Ships (Cicely Fox Smith Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Fairness Poems, Work & Career Poems, Pleasure PoemsBased on Keywords: berth, iceberg, sailorman, stow, bosun, forrard, landfall, bawlin