Poems (Cook)/The Fisher Boy jollily lives

by Eliza Cook

 

THE FISHER BOY JOLLILY LIVES.

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 seagull'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."