The Poetry Corner

The Big Black Trawler

By Alfred Noyes

The very best ship that ever I knew, --Ah-way O, to me O-- Was a big black trawler with a deep-sea crew-- Sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run. There was one old devil with a broken nose --Ah-way O, to me O-- He was four score years, as I suppose-- But, sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run. We was wrecked last March, in a Polar storm --Ah-way O, to me O-- And we asked the old cripple if his feet was warm-- Sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run. And the old, old devil (he was ninety at the most) --Ah-way O, to me O-- Roars, "Ay, warm as a lickle piece of toast"-- So sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run. "For I soaked my sea-boots and my dungarees --Ah-way O, to me O-- In the good salt water that the Lord don't freeze"-- Oh, sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run.