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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BIG BLACK TRAWLER by ALFRED NOYES

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE VERY BEST SHIP THAT EVER I KNEW
Last Line: OH, SING, MY BULLIES, LET THE BULLGINE RUN.
Subject(s): MARCH (MONTH); SEA; SHIPS & SHIPPING; SINGING & SINGERS; OCEAN;

THE very best ship that ever I knew
@3-- Ah-way O, to me O --@1
Was a big black trawler with a deep-sea crew --
@3Sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run.@1

There was one old devil with a broken nose
@3-- Ah-way O, to me O --@1
He was four score years, as I suppose --
@3But, sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run.@1

We was wrecked last March, in a Polar storm
@3-- Ah-way O, to me O --@1
And we asked the old cripple if his feet was warm --
@3Sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run.@1

And the old, old devil (he was ninety at the most)
@3-- Ah-way O, to me O --@1
Roars, "Ay, warm as a lickle piece of toast" --
@3So sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run.@1

"For I soaked my sea-boots and my dungarees
@3-- Ah-way O, to me O --@1
In the good salt water that the Lord don't freeze" --
@3Oh, sing, my bullies, let the bullgine run.@1



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