Ever stood th' twelve t' four
Anchor watch, alone at night,
When th' lights along th' shore
Were jes' blinkin' out o' sight?
Ever leaned there on th' railin'
Jes' b'fore th' night wuz run,
Stood an' watched th' stars a-palin'
Till they dropped out one by one?

Ever felt th' old craft swingin'
Till th' chains 'ud grind an' slip?
All y' toes an' fingers stingin'
Where th' off-shore wind 'ud nip;
Water gurglin', deep an' black,
'Round th' bow, an' sorta drippin'
An' a-sloshin' up an' back
Where th' windward drains wuz drippin'.

Watch cap pulled about yer ears,
Pea coat buttoned snug an' tight;
What strange thoughts an' hope an' fears
Used t' come on watch at night!
Ever felt so blamed alone
That it seemed like, fore an' aft,
Every spar an' mast had grown
Into some great spectre craft?

Ever been so cold an' sleepy
Y' could hardly walk yer post?
Ever felt so scared an' creepy
Every stanchion wuz a ghost,
An' it seemed like ev'ry creakin'
Of th' decks 'ud let y' through,
An' that bosuns' mates wuz sneakin'
In the shadows watchin' you?

Ever heard th' gulls a-screamin'
At th' first gray peep o' dawn,
Ever felt y'self a-dreamin'
Jes' b'fore eight bells had gone?
Ever felt y' thoughts, now throngin'
Back t' things that happened then,
Ever find y'self jes' longin'
Fer an anchor watch again?