PoemHell’s Pavement
Author / PoetJohn Masefield
TagsDischarge, Liverpool, Sailor, Sea

“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.

John Masefield
John Masefield
1 Jun 1878 - 12 May 1967
Region: Northern Europe
Period: Modernist
Movement: Georgian Poetry
Awards: Order of Merit

more poems by John Masefield

Poem NameTopic
Trade WindsCaribbean, Dance, Island
The Yarn of the Loch AchrayNautical, Sailor, Ship
The WandererClipper, Sea, Ship
The LemmingsInstinct, Lost Hope, Migration
The West WindHomecoming, Nature, Nostalgia
The Tarry BuccaneerAdventure, Pirate, Sea
The Island of SkyrosDeath, Graves, Memory
The Everlasting MercyRebellion, Reflection, Regret
Sea FeverAdventure, Freedom, Longing
RoadwaysBeauty, Journey, Sailor

all poems by John Masefield

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *