Oh I once was in love like a sinner,
And the girl she was hahn’some and tall,
She said she would cook me a dinner
Of corn and potatoes and all.
In a pot she put ham and potatoes,
One chicken, and that not too small;
With gumbos and good red tomatoes,
And beans and some oysters and all.
On a rock by the river she cooked it,
When there came up a devil of a squall;
And into the water it hooked it,
With the corn and potatoes and all.
The ham and the beans and potatoes
All went in that devil of a squall,
With the chicken and big red tomatoes,
And carrots and oysters and all.
Then hurrah, boys! Hurrah for the Union!
And the banner which waves from the wall;
Likewise for the parsnip and onion,
Green corn and potatoes and all!
The gumbos, the greens, and the carrots—
Likewise for the monkeys and parrots,
And corn and potatoes and all!
Here John of Baltimore spoke out: said he—
“Mates, you must know I’m goin’ to leave the sea;
I’ve had a fortune left me, as I learn,
So now I guess I give the land a turn.
I am not one who a sea-life belittles,
But do confess I cannot stand the vittles:
You may correct me if you think I’m wrong;
But first I’ll give my sentiments in song:”