“Jacky Tar With His Trousers On”

Description

After Jack sets out for sea, his love mourns. Even after peace is proclaimed, he is slow to return. At last he returns "with his trousers on." She greets him with joy. He tells of his far voyages. He promises he will travel no more

Supplemental text

Jacky Tar With His Trousers On
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

Jacky Tar

As printed by W. H. Logan, The Pedlar's Pack of Ballads and Songs,
pp. 53-55. No source listed.

When Jack had pull'd the oar, and the boat was gone,
And the lassie on the shore with her head hanging down;
The tears stood in her eyes, and her bosom heaving sighs,
Farewell, my dear, she cries, with your trousers on.
Farewell, said he, I go to sea, and you must stay behind;
But do not grieve, for while I live I ever will be kind,
And when I come to land, you will meet me on the strand,
And welcome Jacky Tar with his trousers on.

(4 additional stanzas)

Notes

Ord lists the tune for this piece as the "Jack Tar Hornpipe." The NLScotland broadside has the economically interesting tune "I'd Rather Havea Guinea than a One Pound Note." Logan calls the tune by the more familiar title of "The Sailor's Hornpipe." But, since none actually prints a tune, we can't tell if this is the usual "Sailor's Hornpipe." - RBW

Broadsides

• NLScotland, L.C.Fol.70(130a), "Jackie Tar," Poet's Box (Glasgow), 1855

References

1. Logan, pp. 52-53, "Jacky Tar" (1 text)
2. Ord, pp. 324-325, "Jacky Tar" (1 text)
3. ST Ord324 (Partial)
4. Roud #5603
5. BI, Ord324