A sailor's lifeit is a merry life.

He robs young girls of their hearts' delight

Leaving them behind to weep and mourn

They never know when they will return.



Wellthere's four and twenty all in a row

My true love he makes the finest show.

He's proper tallgenteel and all

And if I don't have himI'll have none at all.



Oh fatherbuild 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 allpray tell me true

Does my sweet william sail among your crew? ''



``oh nofair maidenhe 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.''



Wellshe 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? ''