Bury Me Not

"Oh bury me not in the deep blue sea"

These words came low and mournfully

From the cold pale lips of the youth who lay on his dying bed at the close of day

He wasted and pined 'til upon his brow

Death's shadowy clouds were gathering now

He thought of his home and his loved ones nigh and the sailors gathered to see him die

"It matters not, I've often heard told

Where the body lies when the heart grows cold

But grant, oh grant this wish to me and bury me not in the deep blue sea"

"I want to be laid where Mother's prayers

And Sister's tears will linger there

Where friends can come and weep o'er me, oh, bury me not in the deep blue sea"

"Oh bury me not" and his voice fell there

And they heeded not his dying prayer

They lowered him down o'er the vessel side and above him closed the dismal tide

He bore no costly winding sheet

To wrap around his head or feet

They lowered him down where the billows roar, in the deep blue sea, far from the shore

And the sailors all many tears will shed

For the one who lies on the ocean bed

Around his head the sea snakes hiss and his pallid lips the fish will kiss