I Saw a Ship A-Sailing

Introductory Context - A Quick Frame for this Rhyme

Sir Francis Drake was an English admiral during the 16 th century, who commanded slave ships and circumnavigated the world in search of treasure. The line from this Mother Goose Rhyme, “The captain was a duck” suggests an identification with the historic sea captain. This source goes on to say “Drake…did introduce many new “comfits” to Elizabethan England. Drake brought potatoes which he thriftily caused to have planted in Lancashire.” There is also a suggestion that the “four-and-twenty white mice with chains about their necks” are slaves.

The main difference in the depiction of this rhyme is the representation of the white mice. In some illustrations, they are shown actively engaged in activities of the ship, while in others, they appear to be held in bondage. Still, other illustrations omit the mice entirely.

A variation in text regarding the object on the duck’s back is also reflected in the illustrations. He is shown wearing a “packet” or in some cases, a “jacket” depending upon the textual version of the rhyme.