The Dark-Eyed Sailor

As I roved out one evening fair

It bein' 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 would say

He said "Fair lady, why do you roam

For the 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 and stout and bold."

"'Tis seven long years since he left this land

A ring he took from off his lily-white hand

One half of the ring is still here with me

But the other's rollin'

But the other's rollin' 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 the winter's morning, the hills are white with snow."

She said "I'll never forsake my dear

Although we're parted this many a year

Genteel he was and a rake like you

To induce a maiden

To induce a maiden to slight the jacket blue."

One half of the ring did young William show

She ran distracted in grief and woe

Sayin' "William, William, I have gold in store

For my dark-eyed sailor

For my dark-eyed sailor has proved his honour long"

And there is a cottage by yonder lea

This couple's married and does agree

So maids be loyal when your love's at sea

For a cloudy morning

For a cloudy morning brings in a sunny day