DARK-EYED SAILOR

as I roved out one evening fair
it being the summertime to take the air
I spied a sailor and a lady gay
and I stood to listen
and I stood to listen to hear what they did say

he said fair lady, and why do you roam?
for day is spent and the night is on
she heaved a sigh while the tears did roll
for my dark-eyed sailor
for my dark-eyed sailor, so young, so stout and bold

seven long years since he left this land
a ring he took from off his lily-white hand
one half the ring is still here with me
but the other's rolling
but the other's rolling at the bottom of the sea

he said you may drive him out of your mind
some other young man you will surely find
love turns aside and soon cold has grown
like the winter's morning
like a winter's morning, the hills all white with snow

she said I'll never forsake my dear
though we've been parted this many's a year
genteel he was and a rake like you
to seduce a maiden
to seduce a maiden to slight the jacket blue

one half of the ring did young William show
she ran distracted in grief and woe
saying William, William, I have gold in store
for my dark-eyed sailor
for my dark-eyed sailor has proved his overthrow

there is a cottage by yonder lea
this couple's married and does agree
so it's maids be loyal while your love's at sea
for a cloudy morning
for a cloudy morning brings in a sunny day