Billy and Nancy’s Kind Parting
The Banks of Clady To which are added, &c.
Billy and Nancy’s Kind Parting.
Farewel my dear Nancy, for now I must leave you.
and to the West Indies my course I must steer,
I know very well my absence will grieve you,
but my dear I’ll return in the spring of the year.
Let not my long going be a trouble to you,
nor let my misfortunes run in your mind,
Altho’ we are parted, I’ll still be true hearted,
and we will be married when I come again.
Why talk you of leaving me, my dearest jewel,
why talk you of leaving me here on the shore;
For while you are talking, my heart burns like fuel,
my dear I will die if I see you no more.
So like a sea-boy, my dear, I’ll go with you,
in the midst of your dangers love I’ll stand your friend,
For when the high stormy winds are a blowing,
my dear I’ll go with you, and keep you from harm.
Your lily white hands can’t endure our cable,
nor your pretty little feet to the top-mast can’t go;
Nor the high stormy winds you can’t endure,
so pray my dear Nancy to the seas do not go.
But her love went to sea, while she stood weeping,
oppressed with sorrow grief and woe,
Her hands she stood wringing with sorrow lamenting,
crying my dearest Billy to the seas do not go.
Her lily white hands she still kept wringing,
and down from her cheeks the crystal tears did flow,
Whilst her hands she stood wringing with sorrow lamenting
crying, Oh my dear jewel, to the seas don’t go.
ECCO Gale Document Number: CB3327974792
ESTC Citation Number: T174343