Traditional
I am a young sailor, my story is sad.
Once I was care free, and a brave sailor lad.
I courted a lassie, by night and by day.
Ah, but she’s gone and left me here and sailed far away.
Chorus:
If I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing,
I’d follow the vessel my true love sails in.
And in the top rigg’n, I would there build my nest,
and I’d flutter my wings on her lily white breast.
I sailed o’er the ocean, my fortune to seek,
though I missed her caress and her kiss on my cheek.
I returned and I told her my love was still warm.
But, she turned away lightly, and great was her scorn.
Chorus
(Flute)
Oh, if I was a scholar and could handle a pen,
oh, one secret love letter to my true love I’d send.
I’d tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain.
Ah, since she’s gone and left me here beyond fall glen.
Chorus
My parents, they chide me, they will not agree.
Say’n me and my false love married should never be.
Let then deprive me, let then do what they will.
While there’s breath in my body, she’s the one that I love still.
Chorus