The Cruel Ship's Captain

A boy to me was bound apprenticed

Because his parents they were poor

So I took him from St. James' workhouse

All for to sail on the Greenland shore

One day this poor boy he did annoy me

Nothing to him then did I say

But I rushed him to my frozen yardarm

And I kept him there 'til early next day

When his eyes and his teeth hang before me

With his hands and his feet down bowed

And with a tarry gasket there I killed him

For I would not hear his cries below

I would not hear his cries below

Now all you sea captains that navyin' here'

Take a fair advantage by me

Don't abuse your young apprentice boys

Or else its hanged you'd surely be