Fairport Convention - A Sailor's Life Lyrics
A sailor's life, it is a merry lifeHe robs young girls of their heart's delightLeaving them behind to weep and mournThey never know when they will return"Well, there's four and twenty all in a rowMy true love he makes the finest showHe's proper, tall, genteel withalAnd if I don't have him, I'll have none at all""Oh, father build for me a bonny boatThat on the wide ocean I may floatAnd every Queen's ship that we pass byThere I'll inquire for my sailor boy"They had not sailed long upon the deepWhen a Queen's ship they chanced to meet"You sailors all, pray tell me trueDoes my sweet William sail among your crew?""Oh no, fair maiden, he is not hereFor he's been drownded, we greatly fearOn yon green island, as we passed it byThere we lost sight of your sailing boy"Well, she rung her hands and she tore her hairShe was like a young girl in great despairAnd her little boat against a rock did run"How can I live now? My sweet William is gone