I would not have the shoemaker,
For all his work at the shoes,
But I would have the bonny boy
Who wears the tarry clothes.

For he walks upon the plain stones,
He sails upon the sea,
He wears a coat and a hairy cap,
It's a sailor -he loves me!

I would not have the blacksmith,
For all his work in the smithy,
But I would have the bonny boy
Who has my heart already.

A sailor, he loves me, ma boys,
A sailor he loves me;
And if I live another year
A sailor's wife I'll be!