William and Nancy’s Parting

William and Nancy’s Parting.

Printed and Sold at 60 Old-Street.

Come all you pretty maidens that have a mind to go,
Along with your true-love to face your dareing foe,
For I’ve a mind to venture where cannon ball do fly
Along with my true-love I’ll go my fortune to try,

He said, my dearest Nancy, I hope you’ll not repine,
For I must go on bord our noble fleet to join,
Our orders are to sea, my dear, and now must away,
So make yourself contented behind me for to stay.

She replied, sweet william, I pray don’t leave me,
I’ll dress myself in sailors array, with you I will steer
Let me go with you your messmate for to be
And when on board a man of war I’ll fight manfully.

He said, my lovely maiden, great danger is at sea,
Perhaps we may be shipwreck’d or the ship be cast away
And in the line of battle perhaps you may be slad,
So make yourself contented behind me for to remai

Your pretty little fingers that are so long and small,
You’d think it hard useage our cable ropes to haul
when winds they blow high, and billow loudly roar,
So make yourself contented, my dear, and stay on shore,

And my love is gone a broad as I must tell you plain,
Kind heaven protect him to plow the raging main,
Protect him from all danger where cannon balls do fly,
And send sweet william back again as I may him enjoy

*Transcriber’s note: Dugaw’s catalogue contains multiple variants of this ballad; this is the first of the variants listed. To review other variants of this ballad, please consult the Dugaw catalogue.

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BBO Roud Number: V6797

ESTC Citation Number: N71356