Andrew Rose

Melody -

Andrew Rose, the British sailor
Now to you his woes I'll name
'Twas on the passage from Barbados
Whilst on board the Mary Jane.
Chorus:
Wasn't that most cruel usage
Without a friend to interpose?
How they've whipped and mangled,
Gagged and strangled
The British sailor, Andrew Rose.

2. 'Twas on the quarter-deck they laid him,
Gagged him with an iron bar;
Wasn't that most cruel usage
To put upon a British tar?
Chorus:

3. 'Twas up aloft the Captain sent him
Naked beneath the burning sun,
Whilst the mate did follow after,
Lashing him till the blood did run.
Chorus:

4. The captain gave him stuff to swallow;
Stuff to you I will not name,
Whilst the crew got sick with horror,
While on board the Mary Jane.
Chorus:

5. 'Twas in a water-cask they put him;
Seven long days they kept him there.
When loud for mercy Rose did venture,
The Captain swore no man should go there.
Chorus:

6. For twenty days they did ill-use him,
When into Liverpool they arrived.
The Judge he heard young Andrew's story;
"Captain Rodgers, you must die."
Chorus:

7. Come all ye friends and near relations,
And all ye friends to interpose;
Never treat a British sailor
Like they did young Andrew Rose.
Chorus:

Line

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