Poem by John Pierpont

The Temperance Crew

Luff up, boys! clew up, and furl every sail;
Clear the cables-let all fly, and clew;
Though rocks are a-lee, she will laugh at the gale,
For our ship has a Temperance crew.

Chorus.
Tho' rocks are a-lee, she will laugh at the gale,
For our ship has a Temperance Crew.


We ask not 'grog courage,' so vaunted of yore;
Let it blow as it never yet blow!
To ride amidst breakers upon a lee shore
Is the vaunt of a Temperance Crew.

Chorus
To ride amidst breakers upon a lee shore
Is the vaunt of a Temperance crew.


Down anchors-pay out-let her swing free and wide:
As our hearts, so our cables are true;
Like a sea bird she sits!-now she breasts the rough tide!
Hold on then, brave Temperance crew.

Chorus.
Like a sea bird she sits, as she breasts the rough tide!
Hold on then, brave Temperance crew.


Come, a bright, bright look-out. Hail each lull, or a pause
In the gale!-we have death in our view!
But may weather the squall-for in God and our cause
Is the trust of a Temperance crew.

Chorus.
But may weather the squall-for in God and our cause
Is the trust of a Temperance crew


Bear a hand-the storm lulls-and the tide sets off fast,
Ere again the wild hurricane brew,
Set her topsails, and slip-and the danger is past;
Then huzza for a Temperance crew.

Chorus.
Set her topsails, and slip,-and the danger is past;
Then huzza for a Temperance crew. 

1. Away the Bowl
2. Plymouth Rock
3. Farewell the Bowl
4. The Cold Water Army
5. Come Sign the Vow!

Print

1265 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version