SUMMER SONG

That cheerful house, we love it well!
There we must put ashore once more
to sit out by the old canal
not too far from the taproom door,

to knock back, with a beer or three,
our cares and ev’ry thought of strife,
to turn tail on the restless sea
and all the sorrows of this life.

There we can talk the sun to bed,
many the mellow, merry tale,
and not till stars dance overhead
need we to set our single sail.

Then off to ride the falling tide
into a calm and balmy night,
to catch a breeze, homeward to glide
beneath a fair moon’s gentle light.