“What’s dat, Jack, de Annie’s gainin?
Too much current, Joe, hold her in,
Pay off main sheet, now it’s rainin,
Dat’s good, our ole sails hold more win.
“See dare! de Sweeper’s ahead now,
She’s boun to pass de light house firse,
Never mine, she’s light draf scow,
In de lak we’ll give her a burse.
“Here we are in ole Lak St. Clair,
Take de helm, Bob, give Joe a res,
Lots of room here if all play fair,
And we’ll not be de secon bes.
“See de White Pigeon how she scoots,
She has de bes breeze in de fleet,
Cap’in Isaac swells in his boots,
When he gets home he’ll have to treat.
“What’s de matter? we’re fallin back,
Dare is four or five ahead now,
See de Lucinda in our track,
And de Ruffin crossin our bow.
“Set your fore gaff and your main gaff,
Wing out dem sails, mind your helm, Bob,
We’ll let em know we’re not a raff,
To beat us da got a big job.
“See de Abe Lincoln crawlin up,
She’s hard to beat when by de win.
But wid fair win can’t git de cup.
And we are sure to beat her in.
“Now de Comet’s pushin hard,
Her big square sail catches de breeze,
I wish we had a good fore yard.
Never mine, she’s only a tease.
“Git dat ole canvas out de hole,
Lash it to fore riggin each side,
Stretch it out good wid dem pike pole,
Now Miss Comet can step one side.
“Where’s de Louise an Margaret,
St. Stephen an Napoleon?
De Betsey’s behine, poor old Bet,
De sweet Alvina’s comin on.