Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE JOLLY YOUNG WATERMAN, by CHARLES DIBDIN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE JOLLY YOUNG WATERMAN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: And did you not hear of a jolly young waterman
Last Line: When he's married and never in want of a fare?
Alternate Author Name(s): Dibdin, Charles Isaac Mungo; Dibdin, Charles, Jr.
Subject(s): Ferry Boats


AND did you not hear of a jolly young waterman,
Who at Blackfriars Bridge used for to ply?
And he feathered his oars with such skill and dexterity,
Winning each heart, and delighting each eye;
He looked so neat, and rowed so steadily,
The maidens all flocked in his boat so readily,
And he eyed the young rogues with so charming an air,
That this waterman ne'er was in want of a fare.

What sights of fine folks he oft rowed in his wherry,
'Twas cleaned out so nice, and so painted withal;
He was always first oars when the fine city ladies
In a party to Ranelagh went or Vauxhall.
And oftentimes would they be giggling and leering,
But 'twas all one to Tom, their gibing and jeering,
For loving or liking he little did care,
For this waterman ne'er was in want of a fare.

And yet but to see how strangely things happen,
As he rowed along, thinking of nothing at all,
He was plied by a damsel so lovely and charming,
That she smiled and so straightway in love he did fall;
And would this young damsel but banish his sorrow,
He'd wed her tonight before tomorrow:
And how should this waterman ever know care,
When he's married and never in want of a fare?





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