Henry and Mary Ann

Come listen you loyal lovers to a tale I will unfold,
Concering a maiden fair and a young sailor bold–
As the conversed together young Mary Ann did say–
O stay my dearest Henry and do not go to sea.
And leave me here broken-hearted your absence to bewail,
So I’ll leave my friends and parents and dress just like a man,
With you i’ll go and face the foe your own dear Mary Ann
O no my dearest Mary Ann to that I’ll not agree,
For you to leave your parents to go along with me;
For when on board a man-of-war our love it might divide,
Perhaps some angry cannonball might stretch you by my side.
So stay at home my own dear girl and be advised by me
And rely upon the honour of your faithfull Henry,
And when the war is over I’ll return like a man
For to fulfill the vows I made to my Mary Ann.
Then go my bonnie sailor my heart still beats for thee
O may kind heaven spare you life in dangerous you go through,
So do your duty manfuly let virtue guide your hand
And return to bless your faithful girl your own dear Mary Ann
Farewell my dearest Henry since to sea you must now go,
To plough the raging ocean to face the daring foe.
O think upon your Mary Ann when on foreign shore
You said there was none but me you ever did adore.
My love I’m sure I cannot chance be false I nener.
One kiss my dear before we part,–I’ll be true to Mary Ann
And Henry dearest Henry when you are far away,
Perhaps in dang of being drowned in the Atlantic Sea.
Let my memory cheer you in danger you go through,
Do you for ever think of me and I’ll remember you.
So let neither rank nor fortune you affection ere trepan,
From the bosom of your faithful girl your own dear Mary Ann.
Then ’twas early the next morning just by the break of day
The order came to go on board and quick to sale away.
The boatswain cries all hands aloft, my lads come sail away
The Anchor’s weighed our gallant ship sails though the bay.
Then to a foreign land, far away from home wee steer,
Some thinks on their sweet-hearts and on their parents dear
And each unto his prettygirls does toss the owning can.
Hurrah my boys young Henry cries here’s a health to Mary Ann.
And when upon the ocean where the sea ran mountains high
Young Henry was the first alof tall danger to defy
Respected by all his officers beloved by all his crew,
A smarter sailor never stepped nor wore a jacket blue,
It was his happy fortune his captain’s life to save.
Upon the coast of Africa. while struggling with the wave;
He threw himself into the see where both about were tosed
If he’d delayed one moment more, their lives would have been lost,
The cruised about on different ports for three long years and more,
At length the order came on board to sail for Erin’s shore
Until the land that gave them birth with all that they hold dear,
The ship is laid in harbour and then the jolly crew,
The gave three cheers at parting and each other bid adieu,
The Captain gave him (Henry) L50 the moment he did land
And that day young Henry married was unto his Mary Ann.

*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.

BBO Roud Number: 2284