More Bab Ballads

A sprightly, rhyming chronicle unfolds through the eyes of an aging bumboat woman who once served the bustling Portsmouth fleet. With cheeky wit and a touch of melancholy, she recalls the daily bustle of delivering apples, cakes, and rum to officers and sailors alike, all while weaving in the colourful anecdotes of her own youthful escapades. The verses capture the rhythm of dockside life, blending nostalgia with the playful cadence of a sea‑shanty.

At the heart of the tale is Lieutenant Belaye, commander of the diminutive gunboat Hot Cross Bun, whose charm and eccentricities inspire both admiration and gentle mockery. The crew—an odd mix of earnest lads and comically timid sailors—navigate absurd adventures, from exaggerated battles to bewildering moments of courtly romance. Through clever wordplay and vivid imagery, the poem offers a light‑hearted glimpse into naval folklore, inviting listeners to savor the humor and humanity of a bygone maritime world.