BRIG COLUMBUS    

Dorothy Forbister

From Leith Roads in a pleasant gale

The Brig Columbus she set sail

For the East Indies she was bound

But never reached her distant ground.

The wind blew hard from the south south east

Which harried her on bound further west

It’s for Long Hope(?) she was to run

Thinking that dreadful storm to shun.

And when she did the Skerries clear

Free from all danger she had no fear

And then she struck the Lowther(?) rock

Where the waves o’er her like mountains frock

The mainmast gone, close by the board

The captain   ?  by that heavy stroke

It made our gallant hearts to sigh

Oh when our eyes no land could spy.

The foremast gone cried every tongue

For to that stake they had stuck so long

Till one by one they were washed away

In spite of the Pentland’s furious spray.

A boat put out from Barry Bay

It was so fierce it could not stay

Thrice they tried but at last gave way

In spite of the Pentland’s furious spray.

He turned him around and viewed the spot

Where his dear comrades cast their lot

Her turned him around with a tearful eye

And   ?   into a bitter cry.