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When I think on the hardſhips then,
bold ſailors undergo. The woods &c.
The firſt news that I did receive,
my husband he was ſlain,
By a ball from the enemy
his precious life was ta'en.
O could I ſwim the raging feas,
or had I wings to fly,
In his company would I be
and on his boſom ly. The woods, &c.
How ſilent lies the comely hands,
the arms, yea, and the head:
How low now fees the fair body,
on whom the fiſh doth feed !
An aliment from the government,
can ne'er make up the loſs,
Which I ſuſtain'd ſince he was ſlain,
whom all my comfort was.
CHORUS.
The woods, the woods, the blooming woods;
ſo freſh and fair to ſee,
I wiſh I were with my dear ſwain,
in his ſweet company.
MERRY MAY THE MAID BE.
MERRY may the maid be,
that marries the miller,
For foul day and fair day,
he's ay bringing till her;
