Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE FISHER BOY JOLLILY LIVES by ELIZA COOK

First Line: MERRILY OH! MERRILY OH?
Last Line: THE FISHER BOY JOLLILY LIVES.
Subject(s): FISH & FISHING; ANGLERS;

Merrily oh! merrily oh?
The nets are spread out to the sun;
Merrily oh! the fisher boy sings,
Right glad that his labour is done.
Happy and gay, with his boat in the bay,
The storm and the danger forgot;
The wealthy and great might repine at their state,
And envy the fisher boy's lot.
Merrily oh! merrily oh!
This is the burden he gives;
Cheerily oh! though the blast may blow,
The fisher boy jollily lives.

Merrily oh! merrily oh!
He sleeps till the morning breaks;
Merrily oh! at the sea-gull's scream
The fisher boy quickly awakes.
Down on the strand he is plying his hand,
His shouting is heard again;
The clouds are dark, but he springs to his bark,
With the same light-hearted strain.
Merrily oh! merrily oh!
This is the burden he gives;
Cheerily oh! though the blast may blow,
The fisher boy jollily lives.



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