As I walked out one morning
In the springtime of the year,
I overheard a sailor
Likewise his lady fair.
Oh, they sang a song together,
Made the valleys for to ring;
And the birds on the high in the meadows gay
They proclaimed a lovely spring.
Said the sailor to his true love,
"We soon must sail away.
And it's lovely on the water
To hear the music play."
And said Billy unto Nancy,
"I soon must sail away.
But if I had my way, my love,
It's along with you I'd stay.
But our Queen she do want sailors,
And we must leave the shore.
And we must face the wars, my love,
Where the cannons loud do roar."
And Tower Hill is crowded
With the women weeping sore,
For husbands, sons and sweethearts
Gone to face the cannons roar.
"So come change your ring with me, love,
For we may meet once more;
There's One above will guard my love
Where the cannons loud do roar.