95
The Dark-Eyed Sailor
This particular form of the returned lover story, though com-
paratively recent — Barry (NGMS 37) says Catnach was the first
to print it and that it is "stage stuff" originating probably in the
1830S — is very widely known and sung on both sides of the water.
It is reported from Scotland (Ord 323-4), Norfolk (JFSS iv 129-
35, from a native of Lincolnshire), Newfoundland (BSSN 81),
Nova Scotia (BSSNS 172), Maine (MWS 42-3. SBML 108-9),
Vermont (NGMS 36-7), New York (SCSM 267-8), and Michigan
(BSSM 160-2), and is doubtless sung elsewhere; it is common in
songbooks.
'A Dark-Eyed Sailor.' Contributed by Mrs. C. K. Tillett of Wanchese,
Roanoke Island, in December 1922. Another copy, marked as secured
by L. W. Anderson of Nag's Head from Maxine TilleU, is the same
except that it omits stanzas 5 and 6 and changes a word here and there.
1 'Tis of a comely young lady fair,
Was walking out for to take the air ;
She met a sailor upon the way,
So I paid attention to hear what they did say.
2 'Fair maid,' said he, 'why roam alone?
For the night is coming, and the day's far gone.'
She said, while tears from her eyes did fall,
'It's my dark-eyed sailor that's proving my downfall.
' Miswritten, evidently, for "has gained."
SPRING HOUSE
MOSTLY BRITISH
3 'There's two years since he left this land.
A gold ring he took from off my hand,
He broke the token; here is half with me,
And the other is rolling at the bottom of the sea.'
4 Cried William, 'Drive him off your mind.
As good a sailor as him you'll find.
Love turns aside and cold does grow,
Like a winter's morning when the hills are clad with snow.
5 These words did Phoebe's fond heart inflame.
She cried, 'On me you shall play no game.'
She drew a dagger and did cry,
'For my dark-eyed sailor a maid I'll live and die.
6 'His coal-black eyes and his curly hair
And flattering tongue did my heart ensnare ;
Genteel he was, no rake like you
To advise a maiden to slight the jacket blue.
7 'But a tarry sailor I never will disdain
But always I will treat the same.
To drink his health here's a piece of coin ;
But my dark-eyed sailor still claims this heart of mine.'
8 When William did the ring unfold
She seemed distracted 'midst joy and woe:
'You're welcome, William ; I have lands and gold
For my dark-eyed sailor so manly, true, and bold.'
9 In a cottage down by the riverside
In unity and love they now reside.
So, girls, be true while your lover's away,
For a cloudy morning oft brings a pleasant day.
'The Dark-Eyed Sailor.' Secured by W. Amos Abrams from a student,
Mary Bost, at Boone, Watauga county. The same as A with a few
omissions and rearrangements. The first half of stanzas 5 and 7 is
omitted and the quatrains rearranged accordingly. The first two lines
of stanza 8 of A are transposed. The final stanza is somewhat corrupted,
reading
Down in a cottage they're now living, united and resigned.
So, girls, be true while your lovers are away,
For a cloudy morning often brings a pleasant day.
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95
The Dark-Eyed Sailor
'A Dark-Eyed Sailor.' Sung by C. K. Tillett. Recorded at Wanchese, Roanoke
Island ; no date given. The chromaticism points to some outside influence.
For melodic relationship cf. **SCSM 426, measures 3-4 with our 2-4 ; also
NGMS 36, TSNS 144, and BSSM 161, but only for general melodic outline.
Scale: Hexachordal, plagal. Tonal Center: f. Structure: abed (2,2,3,3).