Now son, if you have love for the sea
And think you should sailing go.
One little gem of advice take from me,
Because from experience I know.

Three sailors sailing on the oceanographic yachts of Prince Albert of Monaco. In: “From the Surface to the Bottom of the Sea” by H. Bouree, 1912 Image courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce. Archival Photography by Sean Linehan, NOS, NGS

My advice to you is to become a mate,
Of the wheelhouse and bridge have no fear.
But let me warn you before it’s too late,
Don’t study to be a first engineer.

A mate’s life is one of comparative ease,
His clothes so seldom he soils.
He stands his watch out in the cool breeze,
While far down below the engineer toils.

The engineer’s work in the grease and the heat
Boy, take it from me, it’s no fun,
Sweating and swearing, trying the job to complete,
While out on deck the mate suns.

So whatever it takes, my boy, be a mate
Or even the ship learn to steer.
But regardless of place, money, or date,
You’ll rue the day you’re a first engineer.