The dark​-​eyed sailor

from 52 Folk Songs: Yellow by Phil Edwards

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lyrics

It's of a comely young lady fair
Was walking out for to take the air.
She met a sailor all on her way;
So I paid attention to hear what they did say.

Said William, “Why do you walk alone,
For the day is done and the night is come?”
Said she as tears from her eyes did fall,
“'Tis the dark-eyed sailor has provèd my downfall.”

“It's seven long years since he's left the land
When he took the gold ring from off his hand.
He broke the token in half with me,
Now the other's rolling at the bottom of the sea.”

Said William, “Chase him from your mind,
Far better sailors than him you'll find.
Love turns aside and soon cold has grown
Like a winter's morning when the land is white with snow.”

These words did Phoebe's fond heart inflame,
She said, “On me you shall play no game.”
She drew a dagger and then did cry,
“For my dark-eyed sailor a maid I'll live and die.”

"O his coal-black eyes and his curly hair,
His 'mazing tongue did my heart ensnare.
Upright he was, not a rogue like you
To entice a maiden to slight the jacket blue.”

So William then did the token show,
She seemed distracted midst joy and woe.
“Welcome William, for I've land and gold
And a store of silver
For my dark-eyed sailor so manly true and bold.”

credits

from 52 Folk Songs: Yellow, released April 22, 2012
Phil Edwards: vocals, concertina, zither, C whistle, drums

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