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Ye muses, so kind that are guided by wind,
On the ocean as well as on shore
Assist a poor "bard" how to candle his "card"
Without ceasing where billows do roar
Not of Cupids he sings, nor of country nor kings,
Or of any such trifles he thinks,
But of seafaring, sailmaking, gamboling,
Capering, grog-drinking heroes like Hinks.
When Jack comes ashore he has money galore,
And he's seldom cut short of a job;
He can dress as well now, as many can tell,
With a good silver watch in his fob
Poor Jack in his life was ne'er plagued with a wife,
Though sometimes with lasses he links;
He's a seafaring, sailmaking, gamboling,
Capering grog-drinking hero, John Hinks.
When inclined for to spend he walks in with a friend,
And with pleasure he sits himself down;
He tips off his glass as he winks at the lass,
And he smiles if she happens to frown.
Like a rattling true blue when the reckoning comes due,
On the table the money he clinks;
This seafaring, sailmaking, gamboling,
Capering grog-drinking hero, Jack Hinks.
Near the northern head of Cape Freels;
We were cast away without further delay;
At the thought how "my spirit it chills";
We were cast upon rocks like a hard-hunted fox-
Then of death and destruction he thinks;
That seafaring, sailmaking, gamboling,
Capering grog-drinking hero, Jack Hinks.
Oh,Jack without fail was out in that same gale,
Having drove across Bonavist Bay;
Old Neptune did rail as he handled all sail,
And thhe had their two spars cut away.
But Providence kind who so eases the wind
And on seamen so constantly thinks
Saved that seafaring, sailmaking, gamboling,
Capering grog-drinking hero, Jack Hinks.
Oh, death it will come like the sound of a drum
For to summon poor Jack to his grave;
What more could he do, for you all know 'tis true
"Tis the fate of both hero and slave.
His soul sails afloat so doleful and soft,
While the bell for the funeral clinks.
Oh, peace to that seafaring, sailmaking, gamboling,
Capering grog-drinking hero, John Hinks.