Dark-Eyed Sailor lyrics

As I went a-walking one evening fair

It being the summer to take the air

I spied a maiden and a sailor bold

And I stood to listen

And I stood to listen to hear what they might say

He said "Fair maid, why do you roam

By yonder lea and all alone?"

She heaved a sigh, and the tears did roll

"For my dark-eyed sailor

For my dark-eyed sailor, he plows the stormy sea

'Tis seven long years since he left this land

A ring he took off from his lily-white hand

One half of the ring is still here with me

But the other is rolling

But the other is rolling at the bottom of the sea"

He said "Fair maid, you must dry your eyes

Some other young man you will surely find

For love turns aside and soon grows cold

Like a winter's morning

Like a winter's morning, when the fields are clad in snow"

She said "I'll never forsake my dear

Although we've been parted this many a year

Gentle was he, not a rake like you

Who'd induce a maiden

Who'd induce a maiden to slight the jacket blue"

One half of the ring did young William show

She ran distracted in grief and woe

Saying "William, oh William, I have gold in store

For my dark-eyed sailor

For my dark-eyed sailor, he has come home again"