We had a drink upon the quay where the Morris men frequent
there were sailors on the promenade and gals all heaven sent
they drank a toast to old long john and Gulliver's old scents
then we went into the jolly pub and downed our last weeks rent
the sky was getting overcast and the organ boy he played
old sea chants of long ago and lovely bosom maids
the bar was packed and overdue with cockles being sold
we ate a dozen winkles too then gathered up our load
the dog he barked across the sea where ships they once did sail
for bounty treasures set in maps upon some foreign shore
the captain was a wiser man though his crew were drunk as lords
but they had him in their pockets mate and sang with one accord
i stumbled through the alleyways where once Augustus drew
then chanced upon a heath lands gate that led me to a dancing crew
where gypsies gathered heather sprigs and sung of true romance
the highway is for gamblers and the alley cats are primed in chance
i gathered up my songs of mirth and joined the offerings
i wallowed n the merriment and could hear the blackbirds sing
the gypsy gal she danced a theme with flowers in her hair
her dress was long and red that night and the flesh so tender too
i offered love and innocence like only lads know how
then took her on the moors that night amongst a herd of cows
the stingers stung and thistles scratchiest and the heather it did bend
within the common lore of love where romance did comprehend