Twas the day before Christmas That the exciting race *Twixt the gigs of the Marion And Essex took place. The gig of the Essex Was in shape, a whaleboat The Marion's, a cutter And the prettiest afloat.
While ours was, bs yet, lad @ great reputation post of the former Untried on the Station Ina single gig race, Three miles, straight-away, As that which took place Before Christmas day.
The crews of both boats Were well-picked and well-trained Their practice incessant, Though it blew, though it rained. On the Marion's decks At slack-water, each day, The buatswain's shrill whiotlo Called ' race-boat away." All the hopes of our crew, And their money also, Were staked on the gig} They thought she would go Without fail to the front,"
And sure take first place,' Thus winning the stakes, Thus winning the race:
How hopes were all blasted, How money all lost, Was realised by bettors, And, alas! to their cost. Our gig being placed On the fo-castle with care, Of scraping sand rubbing Each man had a share, To render her bottom, So smooth, she would glide Like a real ing of life'
On the swift-flowing tide, 'The betting was furious Our men formed a bank, Which, carried to the Essex, Was covered by Frank, 'The master at arms Having charge of the cash, That was bet on the race, Which settled our hash,' By the men of the Essex And a few dollars over Were sent beck to us, "Twas our turn to cover. You'll hardly believe T know it is funny, The Marion's stea Bet all their mess-money.
The gig being hoisted Again o'er the side, And jauntily riding Once more on the tide The crew in their places, Were towed yy steam-cutter All stripped for the fray,"
Full three miles away Down the river, out of sight, Around by the bend, Where the start soon was made, At our bows, the end.
The boats turned the point, And came plainly in sight; Oh! Then you would hear The loud cries of delight Hurrah and Hurrah "The Marion's ahead," "Full fifteen boat lengths,"
By one, it was said. And on came the beata,
Past steamer and lighter, And swiftly they ran Past crazy sampan. But soon to our eyes, The truth did appear,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.