Classic Poem

1 It's of a fair young creature that dwelt by the sea side;
In every form and feature she was called the village pride.
There was a young sea captain young Mary's heart did gain.
In fact, she loved him dearly for ploughing the raging main.

2 All in young Henry's absence, a nobleman there came
A-courting pretty Mary, but she refused the same.
" Your vows to me are all in vain; I love but the one, " she cried,
" And Henry I love dearly. He's on the silvery tide. "

3 Then mad with desperation, this nobleman did say,
To prove a separation, " I'll take your life away!
I'll watch you late and early, until alone, " he cried,
" And your body I'll send floating down on the silvery tide. "

4 This nobleman was walking down by the yon sea side.
Down by the rolling ocean he met this fair lady.
He said, " My dearest jewel, consent and be my bride,
Or your body I'll send floating down on the silvery tide. "

5 " Oh Henry, dearest Henry! Those vows I dare not break.
I love my Henry dearly and I'll die all for his sake. "
With a handkerchief he bound her hands and threw her o'er the side,
And with one shriek went Mary down on the silvery tide.

6 In two or three days after, Henry returned from sea,
Expecting to live happy, and named the wedding day.
" I'm afraid your true love's murdered, " her aged father cried,
" Or has proved her own destruction down on the silvery tide. "

7 Henry went to his bed chamber, he could no longer rest.
The thoughts of pretty Mary disturbed his aching breast.
He dreamed that he was walking down by the yon sea side,
When Mary floated to him from off the silvery tide.

8 Henry arose, put on his clothes, in the moonlight glance went he,
Down by the rolling ocean, and stayed till break of day.
It was there that he was sitting, down by the yon sea side,
When Mary floated to him from off the silvery tide.

9 He knew that it was Mary by his own ring on her hand.
He untied the silken handkerchief, which put him to a stand.
The name of the base murderer was written thereupon,
Who drownded pretty Mary all in her youth and bloom.

10 This nobleman was taken up, the gallows proved his doom,
For drowning pretty Mary who scarce was in her bloom.
Young Henry went distracted, he wandered till he died,
And his last words was, " Mary died on the silvery tide. "