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