oh
a sailor's life is a weary life
for he robs the girls of their delight
causes them to weep
causes them to mourn
loss of a true love
never to return
oh
father
father
build me a boat
and on the world's oceans
i will float
hail each captain
as i pass by
there
i'll ask for my sailor boy
oh
captain
captain
tell me true
does my own willie sail with you?
tell me soon
to give me joy
none will i have but my sailor boy
oh no
kind lady
he's not here
he drowned in the gulf
and we buried him there
on the island
as we passed by
there
we left your sailor boy
oh
she rung her hands
and tore her hair
just like some lady in great despair
called for a chair to sit her down
penningdon for
to write it down
oh
dig my grave wide and deep
put a marble stone at the head and feet
on my grave
a turtle dove
tell the world
i died for my love
oh
a sailor's life is a weary life
he robs the girls of their delight
causes them to weep
causes them to mourn
loss of a true love
never to return