Saucy Sailor

"Come, my fairest, come, my dearest,
And listen unto me;
Will you marry a poor sailor boy,
Who has just come home from the sea?"

"You are ragged, sir, you are dirty,
And smell so strong of tar;
Begone, you dirty sailor boy!
Begone, you Jack of tar!"

"Though I'm ragged, miss, though I'm dirty,
And smell so strong of tar,
I have pockets filled with silver, love,
And gold laid up in store."

Soon as these words were spoken,
Down on her knees she fell,
Saying, "Forgive me, noble sailor!
I love the sailor well."

"I will cross o'er the briny ocean,
Where the meadows grow so green;
But since you refused my offer, miss,
Another shall wear the ring."

"You may cross o'er the briny ocean,
Where the meadows grow so green;
But since I refused your offer, sir,
Another may wear the ring."

DT #415
Laws K38
from Cox, Folk-Songs of the South
recorded by Frankie Armstrong
tune "SAUCYSLR" from English Folk Songs, Sharp
SOF