NEAR HAVANNA

It was down near Havanna town, ho! It was down near Havanna town, low, That I saw a mortal fight, At the coming on of night,

By the starlight a long time ago. Two Spaniards were a-fighting for their lives, The blades flashed like lightning up and down; To the click and the clock of the knives,

And there stood a lady looking on. I asked her the cause of the fray, And she answered in Spanish: “Oh see! They are villains who carried me away,

And now they are fighting for me.” And I said as I looked at her face That I hardly could blame such a theft, “But I’ ll wait until one gets his grace,

Then I’ ll tackle with the other who is left.” But just as I spoke, with a start, The two leapt and fell on the sand, For both had been stabbed to the heart

And each had his death out of hand. So I and the donna were friends, And that of the kindest and best; Now here this true history ends,

And you must imagine the rest. And’ twas all near Havanna town, ho! It was down by Havanna town, low, That I saw this mortal fight,

At the coming on of night, By the starlight a long time ago. There sat a stranger there whom no one knew, Who did not seem a follower of the sea,

And yet no stranger surely to the Blue, Who now politely spoke the company, Saying unto them: “Mates,’ tween you and me, I put it as a question — don’ t you think

That it is pretty near time to take a drink? And if you do belong to Gideon’ s Band, Then here’ s my purse to pay — and here’ s my hand”— There was a roar of laughter loud and long,

And then the stranger burst into a song; But for a minute were they all so gay, For with the words their laughter died away.