All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd, The streamers waving in the wind, When black-ey'd Susan came on board: Oh! where shall I my true love find? Tell me, ye jovial Sailors, tell me true, Does my sweet William sail among your crew?
William, then, high upon the yard, Rock'd by the billows to and fro, Soon as her well-known voice he heard, He sigh'd, and cast his eyes below. The cord glides swiftly thro' his glowing hands, And quick as lightning on the deck he stands!
So the sweet lark, high pois'd in air, Shuts close his pinions on his breast, If chance his mate's shrill cry he hear, And drops at once into her nest: The noblest Captain in the British fleet Might envy William's lips those kisses sweet.
O Susan, Susan, lovely dear, My vows shall ever true remain; Let me kiss off that falling tear, We only part to meet again: Change as ye lift, ye winds, my heart shall be The faithful compass, that still points to thee.
Believe not what the landsmen say, Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind; They'll tell thee, Sailors, when away, In every port a mistress find; Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so, For thou art present wheresoe'er I go.
If to fair India's coast we sail, Thine eyes are seen in diamonds bright; Thy breath is Afric's spicy gale, Thy skin is ivory so white: Thus ev'ry beauteous object that I view, Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue.
Tho' battle calls me from thy arms, Let not my pretty Susan mourn; Tho' cannons roar, yet, safe from harm, William shall to his dear return: Love turns aside the balls that round me fly, Lest precious tears should drop from Susan's eye,
The boatswain gave the dreadful word, The sails their swelling bosoms spread; No longer must she stay on board, They kist'd, she sigh'd, he hung his head; Her ⟨less'ning⟩ boat, unwilling, rows to land, Adieu, she cries, and wav'd her lily hand.
