The Musical Charmer/My Sailor dear

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MY SAILOR DEAR.

You maidens, pretty in town and city,
pray hear with pity my mournful strain
A maid confounded in sorrow drowned,
and deeply wounded with grief and pain:

All for the sake of a lovely Sailor,
I am still bewailing in melting tears;
Whilst other maidens are fondly playing,
I am grieving for my Sailor dear.

Thro’ dales and vallies thro’ shades and vallies;
and all around each lovely grove.
Roll’d in sweet flowers in shadow bowers,
we spent soft hours in mutual love:

Now he has left me, I do not blame him,
because my darling was prest away;
It was for my fortune my greedy parents
contriv'd to have him sent to sea.

Five thousand pounds left by my uncle,
beside four hundred pounds a-year.
It is for that reason they do disdain him,
as he is below them, my Sailor dear.

May every vengeance be their attendance,
that caus'd my darling to cross the main:
For worldly treasure and my displeasure,
they parted us for the sake of gain.

Could I command all the wealth in India,
and the gold and silver far and near,
I would soon resign even golden mines,
and in marriage join with my Sailor dear.

My hardened parents gave special orders,
that I should close confined be
With my chamber free from all danger,
or lest I should my darling see.

Thirteen long weeks upon bread and water
I liv'd, and find no other cheer!
Oh! cruel usage to give a daughter,
for loving of a Sailor dear.

Fortune befriend him, always attend him,
and still defend him where'ev he goes;
By land and water may angels guard him,
while he's at war with his country's foes.

O that I were a nimble Sailor,
no scars nor dangers would I fear,
But freely enter, and boldly venture,
to range the seas with my Sailor dear.

Since now my dear has cross'd the ocean,
I grieve alone with a bleeding heart!
And sickle fortune, which is uncertain,
has caus'd my darling and me to part.

No man shall ever obtain my favour,
my heart it loyal in love sincere;
Till death destroy me, none shall enjoy me,
except my charming Sailor dear.