As I roved out one evening in the Springtime of the Year,
I overheard a maid complain for the losing of her dear;
She says, I’m sore tormented and troubled in my mind,
Since my true love has gone to sea, no comfort can I find.

My love’s a gallant young man, dressed up in sailor’s clothes,
My love’s a gallant young man, his cheeks are like the rose;
He has two bright eyes like diamonds and they shine like any star
And with my true love I’ll sail the seas on board of a man-of-war.

‘Twas on a Tuesday evening when we both went out to walk,
I really thought my heart would break when he began to talk;
He clasped his hands around my waist, so loving and so kind,
Says he, Fair maid be not afraid, for I won’t leave you behind.

Early the next morning this fair maid she arose,
She dressed herself in sailor’s clothes from very top to toes,
And bargained with the captain her passage to go free,
For seven years to sail the seas a cabin boy to be.

We sailed the seas for seven years through stormy wind and cold,
But she dearly loved the sailor lad more better than land or gold,
But now she has returned to enjoy her darling swain,
And she bids adieu for evermore unto the raging main.