The Bab Ballads

MP3 Audio CD. Captain Reece



Of all the ships upon the blue,

No ship contained a better crew

Than that of worthy CAPTAIN REECE,

Commanding of The Mantelpiece.



He was adored by all his men,

For worthy CAPTAIN REECE, R.N.,

Did all that lay within him to

Promote the comfort of his crew.



If ever they were dull or sad,

Their captain danced to them like mad,

Or told, to make the time pass by,

Droll legends of his infancy.



A feather bed had every man,

Warm slippers and hot-water can,

Brown windsor from the captain?s store,

A valet, too, to every four.



Did they with thirst in summer burn,

Lo, seltzogenes at every turn,

And on all very sultry days

Cream ices handed round on trays.



Then currant wine and ginger pops

Stood handily on all the ?tops;?

And also, with amusement rife,

A ?Zoetrope, or Wheel of Life.?



New volumes came across the sea

From MISTER MUDIE?S libraree;

The Times and Saturday Review

Beguiled the leisure of the crew.



Kind-hearted CAPTAIN REECE, R.N.,

Was quite devoted to his men;

In point of fact, good CAPTAIN REECE

Beatified The Mantelpiece.



One summer eve, at half-past ten,

He said (addressing all his men):

?Come, tell me, please, what I can do

To please and gratify my crew.