Page:McClure's Magazine volume 10.djvu/511

Rh But he's got a laugh that you like, has Bill,
 * (I likes to hear him laught,)

No matter where, You can swear Bill's there,
 * Consumin' his own forced draught.

Bill Sweeny is the feller
 * When the starboard engine's broke,

He stays below in the scalding steam
 * Where a man was like to choke;

And he dodges the flyin' cranks, does Bill,
 * And he climbs past that hammerin' rod;

The rest all run, But that son-of-a-gun
 * He shuts her off, b' God!

Bill Sweeny is the bully lad
 * I likes to see around.

I'd rise to take a drink with Bill
 * Though six foot under gound.

But Bill, he's soft as a goil, is Bill,
 * I mind the night he cried,

When he come away From that hot sick-bay,
 * And told us old Tom had died.

Bill Sweeny is a fighter
 * Of the rough and tumble kind,

He laughts when he fights, but he shows his teeth,
 * I've seen him at it, mind;

He was one of the "Baltimore's" crew, was Bill,
 * When we had the row down there.

Valparaiso? Say! Don't forget that day,
 * Weren't Bill in thet fight for fair?

Say! Did y' hear Bill Sweeny?
 * He says one night, says he:

I've got a chanst for a good land job,
 * But I guess I'll stick to the sea.

I knows meself and me work," says Bill,
 * "And I'm going to sign once more—

I'm safe all right On the 'Ampertrite,'
 * And I'm all at sea, ashore."

Bill Sweeny of the Black Gang—
 * He's first-class fireman now,

He entered "water-tender"—
 * But if we has a row,

We lads at the guns has a chanst—but Bill
 * And the Jacks o' the Dust below,

A-feeding the flame, Fights just the same —
 * If they don't—Say!—I'd like to know!