The Press Gang

(Here's the Tender Coming)

Here's the tender coming, pressing all the men
Oh my hinny, what shall we do then?
Here's the tender coming, Off at Shield's Bar,
Here's the tender coming, full of men-o'-war.

Hide thee, canny Georgie, hide thyself away
Hide thee till the tender makes for Druid's Bay;
If they catch thee, Geordie, who's to win our bread?
Me an' little Jacky's better off be dead.

Here's the tender comin', a-stealin' of me dear;
Oh my hinny, they'll press ye out o' here;
They will send ye foregin, that is what this means,
Her's the tender com', full o' red marines.

Here's the tender com', pressin' all the men,
Oh, dear hinny, what shall we do then?
Here's the tender comin', off at Shield's Bar,
Here's the tender comin', full o' men-o'-war.

From A Sailor's Garland by John Masefield (1906)