The Silver Penny

The Silver Penny written by Walter de la Mare

Songs of Childhood (1902)

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  'Sailorman, I'll give to you
      My bright silver penny,
  If out to sea you'll sail me
      And my dear sister Jenny.'

  'Get in, young sir, I'll sail ye
      And your dear sister Jenny,
  But pay she shall her golden locks
      Instead of your penny.'

  They sail away, they sail away,
      O fierce the winds blew!
  The foam flew in clouds,
      And dark the night grew!

  And all the wild sea-water
      Climbed steep into the boat;
  Back to the shore again
      Sail they will not.

  Drowned is the sailorman,
      Drowned is sweet Jenny,
  And drowned in the deep sea
      A bright silver penny.

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