It being Independence Day in the United States, I thought you might enjoy this wonderful poem and short story about Captain James Lawrence and his famous call, “Don’t give up the ship!” The phrase became a rallying cry during the War of 1812, and was upon Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s battle flag as he went on to a famous victory in the Battle of Lake Eerie. Mr Eggleston’s quaint introduction is a worthy staging of the poem. I believe your kids, perhaps particularly your sons, will enjoy it. –Sam
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Don’t Give Up the Ship!
by Edward Eggleston, from Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans, 1895
Fred was talking to his sister one day. He said,—
“Alice, what makes people say, ‘Don’t give up the ship’?”
Alice said, “I don’t know. That’s what the teacher said to me yesterday when I thought that I could not get my lesson.”
“Yes,” said Fred, “and that’s what father said to me. I told him I never could learn to write well.” He only said, “You must not give up the ship, my boy.”
“I haven’t any ship to give up,” said Alice.
“And what has a ship to do with my writing?” said Fred.
“There must be some story about a ship,” Alice said.
“Maybe grand-father would know,” said Fred. “Let’s ask him.”
They found their grand-father writing in the next room. They did not wish to disturb him. They turned to leave the room.
But grand-father looked up just then. He smiled, and laid down his pen.
“Did you want something?” he asked. “We wanted to ask you a question,” said Alice. “We want to know why people say, ‘Don’t give up the ship.'”
“We thought maybe there is a story to it,” said Fred.
“Yes, there is,” said their grandfather. “And I know a little rhyme that tells the story.”
“Could you say it to us?” asked Alice.
“Yes, if I can think of it. Let me see. How does it begin?”
Grandfather leaned his head back in the chair. He shut his eyes for a moment. He was trying to remember.
“Oh, now I remember it!” he said.
Then he said to them these little verses:—
Grandfather’s Rhyme
When I was but a boy,
I heard the people tell
How gallant Captain Law-rence
So bravely fought and fell.
The ships lay close together,
I heard the people say,
And many guns were roaring
Upon that battle day.
A grape-shot struck the captain,
He laid him down to die:
They say the smoke of powder
Made dark the sea and sky.
The sailors heard a whisper
Upon the captain’s lip:
The last command of Law-rence
Was, “Don’t give up the ship.”
And ever since that battle
The people like to tell
How gallant Captain Lawrence
So bravely fought and fell.
When disappointment happens,
And fear your heart annoys,
Be brave, like Captain Lawrence—
And don’t give up, my boys!
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Captain Lawrence painting by J. Herring, 1794-1867
Shannon vs. Chesepeake Painting from National Maritime Museum, Artist Unknown
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This is awesome. I don’t know why there aren’t a million short narrative poems like this. There should be a million short narrative poems like this.
I agree!