Digital Tradition Mirror

The Handsome Young Sailor

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Handsome Young Sailor

When I was a young maid about seventeen
I 'listed in the Navy for to serve the Queen
I 'listed in the Navy, a sailor lad to stand
For to hear the cannons rattlin' and the music so grand.
The music so grand, the music so grand.
For to hear the cannons rattlin' and the music so grand.

Now the officer who 'listed me was a tall and handsome man
He said ``you'll make a sailor lad, so come along my man''
My waist bein' tall and slender, my fingers long and thin,
Oh, the very soon they learned me, I soon exceeded them.

Oh they sent me to bunk, and they sent me to bed
To lie with the sailor lads, I never was afraid
But takin' off my blue coat, it oft'times made me smile
For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while.
They sent me off to London to guard at the Tower,
And I'm sure I might have been there until my dyin' hour
But a lady fell in love with me, I said I was a maid,
So she went unto my captain and my secret she betrayed.

Oh the captain came up to me and asked if it was true
I dare not, I dare not, I dare not say no.
"It's a pity we should lose you, such a sailor lad you made.
It's a pity we should lose you, such a handsome young maid."

So fare thee well good Captain, you've been so kind to me
And likewise my sailor lads, I'm sorry to part with thee.
But if ever the Navy needs a lad a sailor I'll remain,
I'll put on my cap and feather and I'll run the riggin' again.

BR

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!