A sailor's life, it is a merry life

He robs young girls of their heart's 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 inquire 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?