A lonely sailor-boy

A maid of early morning twirled her mop upon the moor
I wished her my farewell before she closed the door
My friends I left behind me for other places new
Crows & pigeons all were strangers as oer my head they flew

Trees & bushes were all strangers the hedges & the lanes
The steeples & the houses & broad untrodden plains
I passed the pretty milkmaid with her red & rosy face
I knew not where I met her I was strange to the place.

At last I saw the ocean a pleasing sight to me
I stood upon the shore of a mighty glorious sea
The waves in easy motion went rolling on their way
English colours were a-flying where the British squadron lay

I left my honest parents the church clock & the village
I left the lads & lasses the labour & the tillage
To plough the briny ocean which soon became my joy
I sat & sang among the shrouds a lonely sailor-boy

 

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