I was a serving maid down in Drury Lane
Me master he was good to me, me mistress was the same
When along came a sailor on shore on liberty
And oh, to me woe, he took liberties with me
Chorus
Singing bell-bottom trousers, coats of navy blue
Let him climb the rigging, like his daddy used to do
It was at a ball I met him, he asked me for to dance
I knowed he was a sailor by the way he wore his pants
His shoes were neatly polished, his hair was neatly combed
And when the ball was over, he asked to see me home
Instrumental
He asked me for a handkerchief to tie around his head
He asked me for a candle to light his way to bed
I, a foolish maiden, not thinking it no harm
I jumped into the sailor's bed to keep the sailor warm
Chorus
I knowed he was no Samson, but that night we went to town
He laid me on the bed there till me blue eyes turned to brown
And early the next morning, before the break of day
A twelve-pound note he gave to me, these warning words did say
He said, "Take this, me darling, for the damage I have done
For you may have a daughter, or you may have a son
Well, if you have a daughter, then jounce her on your knee
And if you have a son, well send the ba*tard out to sea."
Chorus
Now listen all you maidens to me girlish plea
Don't ever let a sailor get his hand above your knee
Oh, I trusted one once, and he put out to sea
And left me with a daughter for to bounce upon me knee