I was a young man my trade was a deck hand <br />my first love the clipper the old Rosalea <br />we sailed from the old town down by the river <br />to Bombay and Shanghai we traded for tea <br /> <br />I met a young girl down by the river <br />she said we could marry and live on a farm <br />I told her I'm sorry my heart's with another <br />we kissed as we watched the sun o'er the yard arm <br /> <br />I know when my time comes and I meet my maker <br />I'll have no regrets I'll be happy he'll see <br />for I'll have my ashes cast out on the river <br />that I once supported and now supports me.<br /><br />Charles M. Moore<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/down-by-the-old-river/
