When I was a young maid about seventeen
I 'listed in the Navy for to serve the Queen
I 'listed in the Navy, a sailor lad to stand
For to hear the cannons rattling and the music so grand
The music so grand, the music so grand.
For to hear the cannons rattling and the music so grand

Now the captain who 'listed me was a tall and handsome man
He said ''you'll make a sailor, lad, so come along my man''
My waist being tall and slender, my fingers long and thin
Oh, the very soon they learned me, I soon exceeded them
I soon exceeded them, I soon exceeded them
Oh, the very soon they learned me, I soon exceeded them

They sent me to bunk, and they sent me to bed
To lie with the sailor lads, I never was afraid
But taking off my blue coat, it ofttimes made me smile
For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while
A maiden all the while, a maiden all the while
For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while

They sent me to London to guard at the Tower
And sure I might have been there until my dying hour
But a lady fell in love with me, I said I was a maid
So she went unto my captain and my secret she betrayed
My secret she betrayed, my secret she betrayed
So she went unto my captain and my secret she betrayed

Now the captain came up to me and asked if it was true
I dare not, I dare not, I dare not say no
"It's a shame that we should lose you, such a sailor lad you made
It's a shame that we should lose you, such a handsome young maid."
A handsome young maid,  a handsome young maid
It's a shame that we should lose you, such a handsome young maid."

So fare well, my Captain, you've been so kind to me
And likewise my sailor lads, I'm sorry to part with thee
But if ever the Navy needs a lad a sailor I'll remain
I'll put on my cap and feather and I'll run the rigging again
I'll run the rigging again, I'll run the rigging again
I'll put on my cap and feather and I'll run the rigging again

I'll run the rigging again, I'll run the rigging again
I'll put on my cap and feather and I'll run the rigging again