Early All in the Spring- F. Yeldman (Essex) 1911 Carey
[From: Clive Carey Manuscript Collection (CC/1/94).
R. Matteson 2017]
It Was Early, Early All In The Spring - sung by Frederick Yeldman of Thaxted, Essex on July 12, 1911. Collected by Clive Carey.
It was early, early all in the spring
When my true love went to serve the king,
The night was dark and the wind blew high
That parted me and my sailor boy.
"O father, father build me a boat
That across the ocean that I may float,
And every king's ship that I pass by
I will enquire for my sailor boy."
She had not sailed far across the deep
Before a king's ship she chanced to meet.
O captain, captain come tell me true,
Does my sweet William sail among your crew?
O no, fair lady, he is not here,
The truth to you, I do greatly fear.
On yon green island as we passed by
That's where lost your young sailor boy.