Lyrics:

A sailor's life, it is a merry life
He robs young girls of their hearts' delight
Leaving them behind to weep and mourn
They never know when they will return

Well, there's four and twenty all in a row
My true love he makes the finest show
He's proper tall, genteel withal
And if I don't have him, I'll have none at all

Oh father, build for me a bonny boat
That on the wide ocean I may float
And every Queen's ship that we pass by
There I'll enquirer for my sailor boy

They had not sailed long upon the deep
When a 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 maiden, he is not here
For he's been drowned we greatly fear
On yon green island as we passed it by
There we lost sight of your sailor boy

Well, she wrung her hands and she tore her hair
She was like a young girl in great despair
And her little boat against a rock did run
How can I live now my sweet William is gone