The Wreckers' Song. 255 



song was sung by the German fiddler, who accompanied 

 his voice with his instrument. He was said to be the au- 

 thor of the song. I say nothing of the poetry, but mere- 

 ly give it as it came on my ear. It is certainly very 

 characteristic. 



THE WRECKERS' SONG. 



Come all ye good people one and all, 



Come listen to my song ; 

 A few remarks I have to make, 



Which won't be very long. 

 'Tis of our vessel, stout and goot, 

 As ever yet was built of woot ; 

 Along the reef where the breakers roar, 

 De wreckers on de Florida shore. 



Key Tavernier's our rendezvous, 



At anchor there we lie ; 

 And see the vessels in the Gulf 



Carelessly passing by. 

 When night comes on we dance and sing, 

 Whilst the current some vessel is floating in ; 

 When daylight comes, a ship's on shore, 

 Among de rocks where de breakers roar. 



When daylight dawns we're under weigh, 



And every sail is set ; 

 And if the wind it should prove light, 



Why then our sails we wet. 

 To gain her first each eager strives, 

 To save de cargo and de pepole's lives ; 

 Amongst de rocks, where de breakers roar, 

 De wreckers on the Florida shore. 



When we get 'longside, we find she's bilged, 



We know veil vat to do ; 

 Save de cargo dat we can, 



De sails and rigging too. 

 Den down to Key West we soon vfll go 



