Early, Early, All in the Spring- Jane Gulliver (Som) 1905 Hammond
[Hammond Collection MS: http://library.efdss.org/archives/ MSS Ref: HAM/2/1/1
R. Matteson 2017]
Early, Early All in the Spring- sung by Jane Gulliver of Combe Florey, Somerset in April 1905. Collected by Henry and Robert Hammond. Tune noted by H. A. Jeboult
1. 'Twas early, early all in the Spring,
Willy went on board for to serve the King.
The raging seas and the wind blew high,
They parted me and my sailor boy,
The raging seas and the wind blew high,
They parted me and my sailor boy.
2. Come father build me a little boat,
That on the ocean I may float,
And each King's ship that I pass by,
I will enquire for my sailor boy,
And each King's ship that I pass by,
I will enquire for my sailor boy.
3. She had not sailed far on the deep,
Before five large ships she chanced to meet,
Saying, “Darkeyed sailor, come tell me true,
Is my sweet William on board with you?
Saying, “Darkeyed sailor, come tell me true,
Is my sweet William on board with you?”
4. “No! he is not here, you fair lady gay,
He is gone and drowned I do declare.
For the other night when the wind blew high,
Then we lost sight of your sailor boy,
For the other night when the wind blew high,
Then we lost sight of your sailor boy.”
5. She wrung her hands and she tore her hair,
Just like a lady all in despair.
Her little boat 'pon the rocks did run,
“What shall I do now my Willie's gone?
Her little boat 'pon the rocks did run,
“What shall I do now my Willie's gone?”
6. She then sat down to write a song,
She wrote it wide, she wrote it long,
And every line she shed a tear,
And every verse she put “Willie, dear,”
And every line she shed a tear,
And every verse she put “Willie, dear.”
7. “Father, dig me a grave both long and deep,
And a marble stone to cover me,
And on my tombstone, a turtle dove,
To let the world know I died of love,
And on my tombstone, a turtle dove,
To let the world know I died of love.