The Four Fellows: Part One

A butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
went down to the ocean one day
they crafted a boat
from a barrel of oat
and set off for lands far away

A butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
claimed “We’re off! our fortunes to win”
When up spoke the preacher
(a most pious creature)
“Through hard work and prayer, not sin”

A butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
cried out to the waters so wide
“A captain we need!”
“A man of good speed!”
“To guide us safe o’er the tide”

A butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
then asked “Who’s for the deed?”
when up sprung the sailor
tripping over the jailer
and said to the three “friends take heed”

a butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
Sat on the ocean so blue
“You see” said the sailor
the son of the jailer
“There’s only one man that will do”

a butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
continued on in to the west
“A man of the sea”
“That fellow is me”
Said the sailor, stroking his vest.

a butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
considered the position well earned
“I know of no better”
“While we’re getting wetter”
claimed the preacher, perched atop the stern






a butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
coursed on into the night
with stars as their guide
on the ocean so wide
'til the clouds hid the stars out of sight

a butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
awoke to a storm at first light
a man of great girth
equal to his great mirth
said the jailer to all “to my belt  hold tight”

a butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
were tossed on a tempest curled sea
dashed, spun, tossed about
till with four frightened shouts
from their vessel they all were tossed free

a butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
bobbed in the ocean so gray
“I fear I see sharks!”
“coming close on a lark”
cried the preacher, “Lord send them away!”

a butcher a sailor a preacher a jailer
Thrashed ‘til the water was foam
then the three fearsome sharks
with terrified barks
turned tail for their watery home

a butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
Let out a gratified sigh
Then up looked the preacher
That most pious creature
And yelped out “T’is land that I spy!”

A butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
Struck out through the ocean so gray
Each turned his hand
To reaching that land
They reached it at the end of the day.


A butcher a jailer a preacher a sailor
Lay  down to weary to speak
Then at the end of the e’en
T’were surrounded by heathens
Who gazed on them savage and meek.