The sun., 1896-06-21
SONGS THE SAILORS SING.
Melody FROM TARs FROM THE OLD
FRIGATE MINNESOTA.


How It came to pass need not be related in de-
tail. but once upon a time, in tho days when the
old Yankee friEate Minnesota was stationed In
tho North River receiving ship FOR naval
apprentices. a certain sitter of rumors found
himself at the northwest corner OF West Twenty
eighth street and Tenth avenue just as twi-
light was falling upon the city. He was on his
way to the landing at the foot OF the street,
intending TO go thence on board tho
old war ship. where he hoped TO learn
definitely whether, MS has been often as
serted in books. the songs which sailors
sing are In no respect like tho songs OF the SEQ
which shore poets write. But just as tho SITTER
was passing the corner he observed that many
people were going into the big saloon which
stood there in those days. Moreover, there
were to bc heard within the saloon the sounds of
fdoo and harp. with the patter OF feet dancing
jiI and Of hands that were keeping time aud
OF voices that laughed and applauded.
The SITTER stopped, listened n moment. and
then entered through the swinging rosewood
screens. A couple OF Italian musicians were
Just ending lively strain, to which one OF tho
boys Of tho nciehborhood had been dancing.
while among the throng OF delighted spectators
were no less than IL dozen OF tho very sailors for
whom the SITTER was looking
The SITTER looked the crew over carefully but
unubtrusively AS they settled down beside the
stout mahogany tables that lined one sdo Of
the room. They were nearly all young mon
and OF pleasing appearance while at one OF tho
tables was a group that attracted special atten-
ton. First OF all was an elderly man with gray
hair and beard and smiling blue eyes. which
were at the moment beaming upon slender.
light haired apprentice no more that seventeen
years of age. seated directly opposite. Beside
the old sailor, whose uniform showed that he
was quRrtermaster. sat a round faced young
tarky. while opposite the darky WAS a black
haired. black IN uustached man In the uniform Of
q carpenters mate.
To this group the SITTER introduced himself by
courtesles and words that need not be recounted
here. and then he explained his errand.
songs the sailors sing is 1t ?" said the Quar-
termastcr, placing his hand caressinGly on q
huge glass OF beer that the waiter had just set
before him why. Chips there'li be charmed,
eh. Chips, Chips leads in the choir when tho
dominic pipes all hands what can't get shore
leave TO u sarvce o song on a saturday night. No
reference to your gettIn' QuarRntined. Chips"
Here the Quartermaster winked comprehen-
sively at the darky and the apprentice, while
the carpenters mate frowned severely and re-
marked that any OF the men would be glad to
accom- modate the SITTER II there was any way of
restraining tho "unseemly levty of old Jack in
the presence OF strangers"
Lets drink TO the health OF the dominic"
said old jack. May he have enough fup in the
next world to make up for all he's missing in
this"
The sailors roared. and all quaf'ed heartily at
the beer except the apprentice, who had, At tho
old sailors suggestion. taken lemonade instead
Now. II Chip. would just sing US his favor
ite." suggested the sitter.
Hold fast n minute" said the Quartermas-
ter. Did you ever sit in a court martial7"
Never" said the SITTER.
I'm. you're luckier than some elderly people
we know" said the carpenters mate
True for it, Chips" replied the Qusrtermas-
ter, even IL wa, unanimously acquitted. But
what 1 was calcpiatin TO say when Chips in
terrupted our polite conversation was that in
his verd CT first, an it 'ud be dt,in, an proper,
X so be that you approves OF Il. for the prentice
there to sing US HIS fav'rtt afore Chips begins,
because sometimes there don't be no stopper
NJ ade asli hold cable when 1, gets aveerin' too
di,,y you was hummin' TO me in the dog watch
last night"
The yonngs,er took sip OF his lemonade. re-
moved his cap. and stood up beside the table.
Tho Italian musicians drew = bit closer TO the
throng Of people stopped taking. Then the boy
In a boy!sh voice saLR:
The white sail. swell alott to night.
Rount and arm a. a maiden. . breast
When abe sishs with tho thought that Lovob her
guest.
TIE blum how cleaves thro' sl!nting white,
koI!!ns me smother Ut" !leSse. nrisht
The sprltss OF this watcry wilderness
Flames or a thousand diamonds burn
Th-ss ~e , es.e ;he he ens'hSnns -as' as'ern
OF this merry host Of the moouIit sea
Al that the carpenters mate put his hand on
sh' I'D Do ashamed ot ye, but for old Jacks put.
ftT nf rN 4 n N ham 'iIyf1F ~
vatery sprtes in soap-suds tights make me sick.
There didn't never no sailor man write such
True FOR it," said old Jack. wlnking at tho
apprentice in way that relieved the lads en-
no saiIorman never wrote it. The gentleman from
the paper didn't put in no requisition for what
satlormen wrote II was the songs what sailor
men sing he was specfyin'. Now what want
you to tell tho gentleman is whether the lad as
sang 1t La- -gn ed articles and is sailor or not'
the makin' OF a sailor into him. allus peryidn'
them AS l. his elder, don't go for To spe I'm
But II its all the songs as he sailors sing tho
gentleman wants. willy you'd better pipe I'm tho
doNology an the psalm for the COLLECT for tho
third sunday after shrove Tuesday" said tho
carpenters mate.
Old Jack wtnEed once more.
There you 90. growlin' away; but no mat
waitin Tor You 20 give him the Windlass Chan
tie IL he don't hear the clip-cl -clap.clipper clap
his cddlcation On shore ha, been carried on at
the eIpense OF what he might ha' larned better
ut sea.
The cArpenter's mate. much pleased by this
md by the interest -hown by tho sitter, arose
aud. after waving his hands 10 the Italians 10 let
them know that no music wanted from
them. sang In IA thundrrpus voice:
You may sing Of the daughters OF Uncle Sam
or Of those OF The British Isles.
You NAV sing OF tn" French, you may sing OF the
Dutch
or OF those with Spanish wlles.
But "a for me
don't @ area y
! or a word Of their ma tiOnality;
Bur II In your slrs yOu would Ike Join
j ust sing of the girl that has got bong poine.
on It's whi,kry'l II make you far my lads,
An the same may be said . giU.
I u an down Hs.yoh he, Rouse tho cable In.
You may sing or the girl whose eyes are OF biua
As kDft ns the morning light
You may of the girl whose eyes are AS black
A the aRrsrst hour Of n,Zht.
But as for me don't care u
Thro' what kind ~ eyes they chance to see,
Bnt n ot the well rouLdrd form you would sing
Stand by! for IN make The Old wckin ring.
CHORUS.
For les whiskey oh'h whlskey. oh give me glass
oi-gin
Old Jack, with q well-feigned look OF aston
on his fRcc. interrupted:
sny, Chips. avnsti IL It's whiskey you want
instead OF, beer, or II you want a drink an
haven't the price, however does 1t happen you
don't say 50 to me privat-ly an not 90 bawliu'