A sailors 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, theres four and twenty all in a row
My true love he makes the finest show.
Hes proper tall, genteel and all,
And if I dont have him, Ill have none at all.

Oh father, build for me a bonny boat,
That on the wide ocean I may float
And every queens ship that we pass by,
There Ill enquire for my sailor boy

They had not sailed long on the deep
When a queens 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 hes been drownded 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?