Poor Joe The Marine john ashley 1839

Lyrics courtesy of www.sailorsongs.com

Poor Joe the marine was at Portsmouth well known

No lad in the corps dressed so smart

The lasses never looked at the lad with a frown

His manliness won every heart

Sweet Polly at Portsmouth he took for his bride

And surely there never was seen

A couple so gay march to church, side by side

As Polly and Joe the marine

The bright torch of Hymen was scarce in a blaze

When thundering drums they heard rattle

And Joe in an instant was forced to the seas

To give a bold enemy battle

The action was dreadful each ship a mere wreck

Such slaughter few sailors have seen

Two hundred brave fellows lay strewed on the deck

And among them poor Joe the marine

But victory faithful to brave British tars

At length put an end to the fight

Then homeward they steered full of glory and scars

And soon had famed Portsmouth in sight

The ramparts were crowded the heroes to greet

And foremost sweet Polly was seen

But the very first sailor she chanced for to meet

Told the fate of poor Joe the marine

Lyrics courtesy of www.sailorsongs.com