- Song of the Mary White
"Song of the "Mary White" is a
ballad written inBroadstairs , Britain around 1850.It has been suggested that news of the loss of the Irish packet "Royal Adelaide" with 250 lives, on the sands off
Margate onApril 6 ,1850 , prompted old Thomas White to present one of his lifeboats to his home town of Broadstairs that summer. The lifeboat saw its first use onMarch 6 1851 when thebrig "Mary White" became trapped on theGoodwin Sands during a severegale blowing from the north. A ballad was written to celebrate the occasion, "Song of the "Mary White".Lyrics
:Come all you jolly sailors bold, and landsmen too, attend, :I am inclined to sing in praise of those eight gallant men, :who boldly left their native shore as you shall understand, :to save the lives of those poor souls upon the Goodwin Sand.
:"Chorus" :Britons all, both young and old, think of those jolly sailors bold.
:On Thursday, 'twas March the sixth, the wind blew from the land :which drove the fated "Mary White" upon the Goodwin Sands. :The lifeboat's crew from Broadstairs flew, with hearts so light and gay, :Right gallantly they made the wreck, those precious lives to save.
:"Chorus"
:John Crouch, a gallant sailor bold, likewise George Castle too, :George Wales, Richard Crouch, this day, my praise is due to you :Sol Holbourn, Sackett Ansel, John Wales, with great delight :So gallantly did venture off to save the "Mary White".
:"Chorus"
:Ned Chittingden, 17 your health I drink, I drink with thee, :Times three and for your valor, my brave men, you shall rewarded be.
:"Chorus"
:You've done your best, and saved the lives of seven poor souls this day; :May God receive the other three who did get cast away.
:"Chorus"
:So to conclude and finish now, my song is at an end, :May God above a blessing give to those eight gallant men! :"Chorus"
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