De Happy Rose Crew

by Dan Wells

On de tall ship Rose, all de people they be happy.
“C” watch be first, de watch they call it nappy.
Here be one-hand Alix, her a-gigglin’ and a-squealin’.
Next come pretty little Cheryl, still be de wind-scoop a-sealin’.
Now look at dat boy Keith, all him hair fall off his head, come rest upon his chest.
Now we have Mr. Todd Van Gogh, a-smilin’ and a-smokin’, him a big talk-fest.
But where dat Marco go? Why, him lookin’ for a windmill, and tulips on the sea.

“B” watch be dat shippy watch, a-sleepin’ all de time.
First come Dave him so very weak, need to eat mo’ slime.
And here be dat boy Abraham Lincoln James, a-checkin’ all his systems.
And dat be Jeremy him too short, who out his bunk be stickin’.
And last come dat busy Bosun Jesse, tell you work party, what you work party do.

“A” watch they a-comin’ next, not sweatin’ none dem sleepless nights.
First dat ol’ man Scott, him a-pickin’ all day fights.
And here be Billy the Pirate, a-smackin’ him tabaccy pack somepin’ cruel.
Now here dat girl Toni, her a-wearin’ clothes for to go to Sunday school
(not dat we be complainin’).
And finally dat young sweet Sophie, what language s’il vous plait?

But where be dem officers of de good ship Rose?
Hunter down a-cookin’, no can of Spam be forsooken.
Chris be breakin’ down dem big words for to help us understand.
And dere is Deborah, a-workin’ on her tan.
And poor John, always him a-partyin’, and a-drinkin’, and carousin’, and just plain foolin’ around.
And don’t be forgettin’ de good Captain of de shippen,
gonna catch him a fish (or what be smellin’ like a fish, oh, baby!)
Yessir, on de tall ship Rose, all de people they be happy!