Green Grows the Rashes/Tom Starboard

by Anonymous

For other versions of this work, see Tom Starboard.

TOM STARBOARD.

Tom Starboard was a lover true,
 As brave a tar as ever sailed,
The duties ablest sea men do,
 He did, and never yet had failed.
But wreck'd as he was homeward bound,
 Within a league of England's coast,
Love sav'd him sure from being drown'd,
 For all the crew but Tom were lost.

His strength restor'd, Tom hied with speed,
 True to his love as e'er was man,
Nought had he sav'd, nought did he need,
 Rich he in hopes of lovely Nan.
But scarce five miles poor Tom had gained,
 When he was pressed, he heaved a sigh,
And said tho' cruel was his lot,
 Ere flinch from duty, he would die.

In fight Tom Starboard knew no fear,
 Nay when he'd lost an arm resigned,
Said, Love for Nan his only dear
 Had saved his life, and fate was kind.
The war being ended, Tom returned,
 His lost limb serv'd him for a joke,
For still his manly bosom burned
 With love—his heart was heart of oak.

Ashore in haste Tom nimbly ran
 To cheer his dear departed bride,
But false report had brought to Nan,
 Six months before that Tom had died.
With grief she daily pined away,
 No remedy her life could save,
And Tom arrived the very day
 They laid his Nancy in her grave.