When Fredrick Was A Little Lad

He Proved So Brave And Daring

His Father Thought He'd 'prentice Him

To Some Career Sea-faring.



I Was, Alas, His Nursery Maid,

And So It Fell To My Lot

To Take And Bind This Promising Boy

Apprentice To A Pilot.



A Life Not Bad For A Hardy Lad.

Though Surely Not A High Lot.

Though I'm A Nurse,

You Might Do Worse,

Than Make Your Boy A Pilot.



I Was A Stupid Nursery Maid,

On Breakers Always Steering.

And I Did Not Catch The Word A'right

For Being Hard Of Hearing.



Mistaking My Instructions, Which

Within My Brain Did Gyrate,

I Took And Bound Thhis Promising Boy

Apprentice To A Pirate.



A Sad Mistake

It Was To Make!

And Doom Him To Your Vile Lot!

I Bound Him To

A Pirate - You! (points To Pirate King)

Instead Of To A Pilot!