Lyrics:

Fair maids are a-shining over valley and town.
There once was a young girl her name it was Miss Brown.
A young man came a-courting her dear for to be,
And he was by trade a ship's carpenter was he.

Well, the king he needed sailors for to go off to sea.
This made the young maiden to cry and to say,
William, O William, do not leave me here,
Remember the vows you have made to your dear.

But it was early the next morning before it was day
He's gone to his Polly, these words he did say,
Polly, O Polly, you must come along with me,
Before we get married, my friends for to see.

Then he's led her through the groves and through the valley so deep.
This caused poor Polly to cry and to weep,
William, O William, you've led me astray
On purpose to take my own sweet life away.

No pardon will I give you and there's no time to stand'.
And there in a moment drew a knife with his hand
He stabbed her poor body till red blood did flow
And into a grave her poor body did throw.

Then he's covered her body so safe and secure.
He thought none would find her, of that he was sure.
Then he went on board ship to sail the world around
Before that his murder would ever be found.

It was early one morning before it was day
The captain came to him, these words he did say,
There's a murderer on board and it's lately been done.
Our ship she's in mourning and cannot sail on.

And up stepped one sailor, Indeed, sir, not I,
And up stepped one other, Indeed, sir, not I,
And up stepped young William to storm, curse, and swear,
Indeed, sir, not I, sir, I vow and declare.

And as he was a-turning from the captain with speed
His mad, pretty Polly it's made his heart bleed.
She's ripped him, she's stripped him, she's tore him in three,
Crying, That's for the murder of my baby and me.