Name this old poem

October 17, 2007 5:31 AM

Hello folks, I am looking for the name of an old poem recited to me by my father in my childhood. It is similar in style to the 'Dangerous Dan McGrew' I think, but is about two men stranded on a desert island after their ship sinks. Initially they are strangers, but after realising they have a mutual friend, become good friends themselves. Things continue well until, I believe, they spot the mutual friend on a ship passing by. They notice however that the ship is a Pirate ship, and upon realising this, absolve their friendship in the knowledge that their mutual friend is of ill repute! This is all going on old memory, so I could be wrong in certain aspects.
posted by ferd to Writing & Language (2 answers total)

Best answer: It sounds to me like you are thinking of Etiquette, one of W. S. Gilbert's Bab Ballads
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 9:37 AM on October 17, 2007

Response by poster: Nail on the head! Many thanks!
posted by ferd at 9:51 AM on October 17, 2007