Martin Carthy And Dave Swarbrick - Sailor's Life lyrics

A sailor's life is a merry life. They robs young girls of their hearts' delight, Leaving them behind for to weep and mourn, They never know when they will return. "Oh there's four-and-twenty all in a row, My sweetheart cuts the finest show. He's proper, tall, genteel withal, If I don't have him I'll have none at all." "Oh father, build me a bonny boat, That on the wide ocean I may float. And every Queen's ship that we pa** by There I'll enquire for my sailor boy." Now they had not sailed long upon the deep Before the Queen's ship they chanced to meet. "You sailors all, pray tell me true, Does my sweet William sail among your crew?" "Oh no, fair maid, he is not here, For he's been drownded, we greatly fear. On yon green island as we pa**ed by, There we lost sight of your sailor boy." Now she wrung her hands and she tore her hair Much like a damsel in great despair. Her little boat 'gainst a rock did run. "How can I live now my William is gone?"