My Boy Willie - The Irish Rovers

It was early, early* in the spring

When my love Willy went to serve the king

And all that vexed him or grieved his mind

Was the leavin' of his dear girl behind

Oh, father dear, built me a boat

That on the ocean I might float

And view** the ships, as they pass me by

And to inquire, of my sailor boy

She had not sailed long in the deep

When a fine ships crew, she changed to meet

And of the captain she inquired to (?)

Does my love Willy sail on board with you?

What sort of lad, is your Willy fair?

What sort of clothes does your Willy wear?

He wears a coat of royal blue

And you’ll easily know him, for his heart is true

If that’s your Willy, he is not here

I doubt he’s drowned, as we do fear

't was (garble***) as we passed by

It was there we lost a fine sailor boy

Put a marble stone at my head and feet

And in the middle, a turtle dove

So the whole world knows, that I die (d) for love