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1824–1903

ONE, TWO, THREE

Charles Godfrey Leland

I saw three witches as the wind blew cold In a red light to the lee; Bold they were and over-bold As they sailed over the sea;

Calling for One, Two, Three! Calling for One, Two, Three! And I think I can hear It a-ringing in my ear,

A-calling for the One, Two, Three. And clouds came over the sky, And the wind it blew hard and free, And the waves grew bold and over-bold

As we sailed over the sea; Howling for One, Two, Three! Howling for their One, Two, Three! Oh I think I can hear

It a-ringing in my ear, A-howling for their One, Two, Three! And the storm came roaring on, Such a storm as I never did see,

And the storm it was bold and over-bold, And as bad as a storm could be; A-roaring for its One, Two, Three! A-howling for its One, Two, Three!

Oh I think I can hear It a-howling in my ear, A-growling for its One, Two, Three! And a wave came over the deck,

As big as a wave could be, And it took away the captain and the mate and a man: It had got the One, Two, Three! And it went with the One, Two, Three!

Oh I think I can hear It a-rolling in my ear, As it went with the One, Two, Three. This being cheered, I said, “Some time ago

I made a song in the Italian tongue About a witch and pirate — which for you Shall, if you like, be now in English sung.” “No, give it first,” cried Saltonstall, “by jingo!

In its own nateral, Eyetalian lingo; What I don’ t know of it ain’ t worth a cent; Even to Rome I several times have went, In Naples, too, I’ ve had full many a turn

And know old Spartivento like a dern; And most of us, I reckon — though we’ re Yankee — Can go the Dago, or some lingua frankey. We ain’ t so ignorant of what we know;

So go ahead, Signor — prestissimo! Ef we don’ t catch the sense’ twill be a pity.”— So thus encouraged I began my ditty:

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ONE, TWO, THREE · Charles Godfrey Leland · Poetry Cove