the sailor's grave

our barque was far

far from the land

when the fairest of our gallant band

grew deadly pale

and pined away

like the twilight dawn of an autumn day

we watched him through long hours of pain

our fears were great

our hopes in vain

death's call he heard; made no alarm

he smiled and died in his messmate's arms

we had no costly winding sheet

we placed two round shot at his feet

and in his hammock

snug and sound: a kingly shroud like marble bound

we proudly decked his funeral vest

with a starry flag upon his breast

we gave him this as a badge so brave

then he was fit for a sailor's grave

our voices broke

our hearts turned weak

and tears were seen on the brownest cheek

a quiver played on the lip of pride

as we lowered him down our ship's dark side

a splash

a plunge and our task was o'er

and the billows rolled as they rolled before

and many a prayer said to the wave

that lowered him in a sailor's grave