A Sailor's life is a merry life
He robs young girls of their heart's delight
Leaving them alone to weep and mourn
They never know when he'll return

Of four and twenty all in a row
My true love makes the finest show
He's proper tall, genteel withall
If I can't have him I'll have none at all

My father built me a bonny boat
That on the ocean I might float
And every queen ship that we passed by
I'd there inquire for my sailor boy

She had not sailed long upon the deep
When a queen ship she chanced to meet
You sailors all please tell me true
Does my sweet William sail among your crew?

Oh no fair maiden he's not here
For he's been drowned we greatly fear
On yon green island as we passed by
There we lost sight upon your sailor boy

She wrung her hands, she tore her hair
She was a maid in great despair
Her little boat on the rock she did run
Saying how shall I live now that my William is gone?

A sailor's life is a merry life
He robs young girls of their heart's delight
Leaving them behind to weep and mourn
They never know when he'll return