Sailor dear, with The answer/The answer

THE ANSWER.

YOU'RE welcome to me,
⁠From the stormy sea,
I'm glad to see you home again,
⁠I hope kind fortune,
⁠Sent you promotion,
Whilst you were ploughing the raging main.

⁠My friends were cruel
⁠To you my jewel,
Which cost me many a silent tear,
⁠It is for your sake,
⁠My dear heart did take,
That day you parted from your Molly dear.

⁠Molly my charmer,
⁠Your cruel father
Was the informer did me betray,
⁠And caus'd our parting.
⁠But now most certain,
I've made a fortune by going to sea.

⁠And now no longer
⁠I dread his anger,
His spite nor power I do not fear,
⁠Let sorrows vanish
⁠Your cares I'll banish,
And heal your anguish sweet Molly dear.

⁠I hear long time
⁠You've been confin'd,
By your Father's cruelty,
⁠On bread and water,
⁠He kept his daughter,
O hard unequall'd barbarity!

⁠Was I but nigh yon,
⁠I'd made a trial.
And venture my life for to set you clear,
⁠My dearest female,
⁠I would release you,
Of grief I'd case you, sweet Molly dear.

⁠With me your parents
⁠Were at variance,
Which was because they had gold in store,
⁠Nothing could them please,
⁠They ne'er would be at ease,
They sent me where the cannons roar.

⁠I ne'er was wounded,
⁠Though balls surrounded,
And flew like hail in the hemisphere,
⁠Fatigued and jaded,
⁠Through blood I waded,
All for your sake my sweet Molly dear.

⁠My dearest darling,
⁠Your lovely forming,
Shall be adorn'd with the spoils of war,
⁠And with my treasure,
⁠Now use your pleasure,
I don't care though your friends do jure.

⁠A chest of gold, all
⁠At your disposal
With two large bags or dollars here.
⁠And all this to you,
⁠I will now bestow
As you are true my sweet Molly dear.

⁠No more dear Molly
⁠I'll wander from you,
Since I have arrived on my native shore,
⁠Through hostile danger,
⁠I'll never venture.
But stay at home when the war is o'er.

⁠My dearest creature,
⁠Pride of all nature.
Your lovely features my dear will cheer,
⁠All grief will cease,
⁠Your joys increase,
We'll live in peace, my sweet Molly dear.