You maidens, pretty in town and city,pray hear with pity my mournful strainA maid confounded in sorrow drowned,and deeply wounded with grief and pain:
All for the sake of a lovely Sailor,I am still bewailing in melting tears;Whilst other maidens are fondly playing,I am grieving for my Sailor dear.
Thro’ dales and vallies thro’ shades and vallies;and all around each lovely grove.Roll’d in sweet flowers in shadow bowers,we spent soft hours in mutual love:
Now he has left me, I do not blame him,because my darling was prest away;It was for my fortune my greedy parentscontriv'd to have him sent to sea.
Five thousand pounds left by my uncle,beside four hundred pounds a-year.It is for that reason they do disdain him,as he is below them, my Sailor dear.
May every vengeance be their attendance,that caus'd my darling to cross the main:For worldly treasure and my displeasure,they parted us for the sake of gain.
Could I command all the wealth in India,and the gold and silver far and near,I would soon resign even golden mines,and in marriage join with my Sailor dear.
My hardened parents gave special orders,that I should close confined beWith my chamber free from all danger,or lest I should my darling see.
Thirteen long weeks upon bread and waterI liv'd, and find no other cheer!Oh! cruel usage to give a daughter,for loving of a Sailor dear.
Fortune befriend him, always attend him,and still defend him where'ev he goes;By land and water may angels guard him,while he's at war with his country's foes.
O that I were a nimble Sailor,no scars nor dangers would I fear,But freely enter, and boldly venture,to range the seas with my Sailor dear.
Since now my dear has cross'd the ocean,I grieve alone with a bleeding heart!And sickle fortune, which is uncertain,has caus'd my darling and me to part.
No man shall ever obtain my favour,my heart it loyal in love sincere;Till death destroy me, none shall enjoy me,except my charming Sailor dear.
