Oh I once was in love like a sinner,
And the girl she was hahn’ some and tall,
She said she would cook me a dinner
Of corn and potatoes and all.
In a pot she put ham and potatoes,
One chicken, and that not too small;
With gumbos and good red tomatoes,
And beans and some oysters and all.
On a rock by the river she cooked it,
When there came up a devil of a squall;
And into the water it hooked it,
With the corn and potatoes and all.
The ham and the beans and potatoes
All went in that devil of a squall,
With the chicken and big red tomatoes,
And carrots and oysters and all.
Then hurrah, boys! Hurrah for the Union!
And the banner which waves from the wall;
Likewise for the parsnip and onion,
Green corn and potatoes and all!
The gumbos, the greens, and the carrots —
Likewise for the monkeys and parrots,
And corn and potatoes and all!
Here John of Baltimore spoke out: said he —
“Mates, you must know I’ m goin’ to leave the sea;
I’ ve had a fortune left me, as I learn,
So now I guess I give the land a turn.
I am not one who a sea-life belittles,
But do confess I cannot stand the vittles:
You may correct me if you think I’ m wrong;
But first I’ ll give my sentiments in song:”