Poems and Songs By Robert Gilfillan. Fourth edition. With memoir of the author, and appendix of his latest pieces |
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CAPTAIN MUNRO. |
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 | Poems and Songs |  |
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CAPTAIN MUNRO.
Success to all sailors who wend o'er the ocean,
Whose barks o'er its bosom bound fleet as the roe;
Success to all captains who fight for promotion—
The bravest of captains is Captain Munro!
He fights with the boldest, he rouses the coldest,
His weapon's the strong wine as black as the sloe;
Your bucklers and targes can ne'er stand his charges,
The prince of all warriors is Captain Munro!
Whose barks o'er its bosom bound fleet as the roe;
Success to all captains who fight for promotion—
The bravest of captains is Captain Munro!
He fights with the boldest, he rouses the coldest,
His weapon's the strong wine as black as the sloe;
Your bucklers and targes can ne'er stand his charges,
The prince of all warriors is Captain Munro!
His ship is the fleetest, his cabin the neatest,
And there did we meet when the sun journeyed low;
The night breeze was blowing, but the cock it was crowing
Ere we thought of going from Captain Munro!
There Willie and Sandy quaffed bumpers in brandy,
While Bob swore that Burgundy best cured his woe;
And Mack, man of merit, hob-nob'd wi' the claret,
Or nobly did share it wi' Captain Munro!
And there did we meet when the sun journeyed low;
The night breeze was blowing, but the cock it was crowing
Ere we thought of going from Captain Munro!
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While Bob swore that Burgundy best cured his woe;
And Mack, man of merit, hob-nob'd wi' the claret,
Or nobly did share it wi' Captain Munro!
The grey-beards and rummers—nae unfrequent comers—
Like fifers and drummers, a' stood in a row:
“Now seize on the nearest, and drain out the clearest,
And drink to the dearest,” said Captain Munro!
Such laughing and singing, to full cups such clinging,
While speeches like Baltic's dark waters did flow;
And when tongues failed in duty, the eye rose in beauty,
Speaking eloquent glances to Captain Munro!
Like fifers and drummers, a' stood in a row:
“Now seize on the nearest, and drain out the clearest,
And drink to the dearest,” said Captain Munro!
Such laughing and singing, to full cups such clinging,
While speeches like Baltic's dark waters did flow;
And when tongues failed in duty, the eye rose in beauty,
Speaking eloquent glances to Captain Munro!
But, oh! dool and sorrow! when night brought the morrow,
The waves danced in gladness, the light breeze did blow,
The sails were in motion, and quick o'er the ocean,
Away went the good ship and Captain Munro!
But summer is coming, when flowerets fair blooming,
Their bright dewy grandeur to nature will show;
O, welcome, gay season! I'll tell you the reason—
For then come the white sails of Captain Munro!
The waves danced in gladness, the light breeze did blow,
The sails were in motion, and quick o'er the ocean,
Away went the good ship and Captain Munro!
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Their bright dewy grandeur to nature will show;
O, welcome, gay season! I'll tell you the reason—
For then come the white sails of Captain Munro!
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