Lyrics:

Oh, a sailor's life is a weary life
For he robs the girls of their delight
Causes them to weep, causes them to mourn
Loss of a true love, never to return
'Oh, father, father, build me a boat
And on the world's oceans I will float
Hail each captain as I pass by
There I'll ask for my sailor boy'
'Oh, captain, captain, tell me true
Does my own Willy sail with you?
Tell me soon to give me joy
None will I have but my sailor boy'
'Oh, no, kind lady, he is not here
He drowned in the gulf and we buried him there
On the island as we passed by
There we left your sailor boy'
Oh, she rung her hands and tore her hair
Just like some lady in great despair
Called for a chair to sit her down
Pen and ink for to write it down
'Oh, dig my grave wide and deep
Put a marble stone at the head and feet
On my grave a turtle dove
Tell the world I died for my love'
Oh, sailor's life is a weary life
He robs the girls of their delight
Causes them to weep, causes them to mourn
Loss of a true love never to return