A Sea Song- Andrew Dobson (Surrey) 1912 Carey
[From: Clive Carey Manuscript Collection (CC/1/256), a version of Oikotype D.
R. Mattesopn 2017]
A Sea Song- sung by Andrew Dobson of Churt, Surrey on September 19, 1912.
A seaman's life is a merry life
He robs young women of their heart;'s delight
Leaving them behind to sigh and mourn
And never knowing when they will return.
Oh ! Father, oh! father, buy me a boat
That I may on the ocean float,
And every Queen's ship we pass by
There I will enquire for my sailor boy."
I had not sailed far on the deep
When a queen's ship we chanced to meet.
You sailors all, pray tell me true,
Doth my sweet William sail along with you?
O no, fair lady, he is not here,
For he is drowned, I greatly fear.
In yonders green island there, as we pass by
We did lose sight of your sailor boy.
She wrung her hands and tore her hair,
Just like a woman in deep despair,
She flung her body into the deep:
Along with William to lay fast asleep.