John Masefield

Here you will find the Poem Hell's Pavement of poet John Masefield

Hell's Pavement

?When I?m discharged at Liverpool `n? draws my bit o? pay,
I won?t come to sea no more;
I?ll court a pretty little lass `n? have a weddin? day,
`N? settle somewhere down shore;
I?ll never fare to sea again a-temptin? Davy Jones,
A-hearkening to the cruel sharks a-hungerin? for my bones;
I?ll run a blushin? dairy-farm or go a-crackin? stones,
Or buy `n? keep a little liquor-store? &mdash
So he said.

They towed her in to Liverpool, we made the hooker fast,
And the copper-bound official paid the crew,
And Billy drew his money, but the money didn?t last,
For he painted the alongshore blue, &mdash
It was rum for Poll, and rum for Nan, and gin for Jolly Jack;
He shipped a week later in the clothes upon his back;
He had to pinch a little straw, he had to beg a sack
To sleep on, when his watch was through, &mdash
So he did.