American Art Collaborative

Alfred Jacob Miller executed this print as the cover for sheet music distributed by the Baltimore music publisher George Willig, Jr. "Far o'er the Deep Blue Sea" was composed by John H. Hewitt with lyrics by R. H. Pratt. Arranged for voice and piano, it was intended to appeal to the large popular market for music to perform in the home. The song opens with a dream of sailing away in the boat of a daring sailor: The moon is beaming brightly love, Upon the deep blue sea- A trusty crew is waiting near For thee, dear girl, for thee! Then leave thy downy couch, my love, And with thy sailor, flee; His gallant bark shall bear thee safe, Far o'er the deep blue sea.