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