A sailor's life lyrics

A sailor's life, it is a merry life.

He robs young girls of their hearts' delight.

Leaving them behind to weep and to mourn,

They never know when they will return.

"Well, there's four-and-twenty all in a row,

My true love he makes the finest show.

He's proper tall, genteel withal,

And if I don't have him, I'll have none at all."

"Oh father, build for me a bonny boat,

That on the wide ocean I may float.

And every Queen's ship that we pass by

There I'll enquire for my sailor boy."

They had not sailed long on the deep

When a Queen's ship they chanced to meet.

"You sailors all, pray tell me true,

Does my sweet William sail among your crew?"

"Oh no, fair maiden, he is not here.

For he's been drownded we greatly fear.

On yon green island as we passed it by,

There we lost sight of your sailor boy."

Well, she wrung her hands and she tore her hair.

She was like a young girl in great despair.

And her little boat against a rock did run.

"How can I live now my sweet William is gone?"