“HOW BE'EE, ME DEEAR?”

“How be'ee, me deear?” I heard her say,

But I was foached to be far away,

For the breeze was braave an’ the boat in the bay,

An’ Granny was old an’ grey.

I didn’ turn back to say “Good-bye,”

For slottery weather was in the sky,

The anchor was up an’ the punt stood by,

Yet Granny was old an’ grey!

Far I sailed, an’ didn’ I cast

Many a look at the old times past?

The lil’ grey port as I saw it last?

An’ Granny old an’ grey?

At last I came from the yowlin’ main,

Guessin’ to see the place again

Jest as it was, as nate an’ plain,

An’ Granny old an’ grey.

Why didn’ I seed the end was nigh?

Why didn’ I bide to say “Good-bye?”

It's too late now to make reply,

Granny is gone away.

But someday beyond the farthest tide,

At last I shall safely at anchor ride,

An’ I shall be hailed as I come‘ longside,

“How be'ee, me deear?”