On Board a Ninety-Eight

When I was young and scarce eighteen

I drove a roarin' train

And many a sly trick have I played

On many a pretty maid

Well my parents saw that would not do

I soon would spend their store

So they resolved that I should go

On board a man-of-war

Well a bold press gang surrounded me

Their warrant they did show

They vowed that I must go to sea

And face a daring foe

Then off they lugged me to the boat

And then I cursed my fate

For then I found that I should float

On board a ninety-eight

And when first I put my foot on board

How I did stand and stare

For our admiral, he gave the word

There is no time to spare

So we weighed our anchor, shook out sail

And off they bore me straight

To face the French in storm and gale

On board a ninety-eight

But as time fled, I bolder grew

I hardened was to war

I could run aloft with my ship's crew

And value not a scar

And so well I did my duty do

Till I got bosun's mate

And blast me, soon got bosun too

On board a ninety-eight

So the years rolled by and at Trafalgar

Brave Nelson he fought and fell

And when they capsized at Haddi Tah

I took a rap as well

So to Greenwich College I come back

Because I'd saved my pate

They'd only knocked a wing off Jack

On board a ninety-eight

So now I can my cocoa take

My pouch with baccy stored

In my blue coat and my three cocked hat

I'm as happy as a lord

'Cause I've done my duty, served my king

And now I've blessed my fate

But blast me, I'm too old to sing

I'm nearly ninety-eight