Lyrics:

A Sailor's life is a merry life He robs young girls of their heart's delight Leaving them alone to weep and mourn They never know when he'll return Of four and twenty all in a row My true love makes the finest show He's proper tall, genteel with all If I can't have him I'll have none at all My father built me a bonny boat That on the ocean I might float And every queen ship that we passed by I'd there inquire for my sailor boy She had not sailed long upon the deep When a queen ship she chanced to meet You sailors all please tell me true Does my sweet William sail among your crew? Oh no fair maiden he's not here For he's been drowned we greatly fear On yon green island as we passed by There we lost sight upon your sailor boy She wrung her hands, she tore her hair She was a maid in great despair Her little boat on the rock she did run Saying how shall I live now that my William is gone? A sailor's life is a merry life He robs young girls of their heart's delight Leaving them behind to weep and mourn They never know when he'll return