Well, there's four and twenty all in a row
That on the wide ocean I may float
And her little boat against a rock did run
Leaving them behind to weep and mourn
And if I don't have him, I'll have none at all
He's proper, tall, genteel withal
You sailors all, pray tell me true
They had not sailed long upon the deep
There I'll inquire for my sailor boy
Does my sweet William sail among your crew?
When a Queen's ship they chanced to meet
On yon green island, as we passed it by
My true love he makes the finest show
They never know when they will return
Oh no, fair maiden, he is not here
Oh, father build for me a bonny boat
Well, she rung her hands and she tore her hair
And every Queen's ship that we pass by
There we lost sight of your sailing boy
For he's been drowned, we greatly fear
She was like a young girl in great despair
