My True Sailor Boy- Susie Daley (OK) pre1962 Moores
[From "Ballads and Folk Songs of the Southwest," by the Moores, 1964. The Moores use Randolph's master title "Sailor's Sweetheart."
R. Matteson 2017]
My True Sailor Boy- sung by Mrs. Susie Evans Daley of Tulsa before 1962. Probably much older.
Oh, Father, oh, Father, go build me a boat;
That on the ocean I may float.
And ev'ry ship that I pass by
Oh, there I'll inquire for my true sailor boy.
As she was sailing over the main
She saw three ships a-coming from Spain.
She hailed each captain as they passed by,
"Oh, there I'll inquire for my true sailor boy.
"Oh, Captain! oh, Captain tell me true,
Does my sweet Willie sail with you?
Tell me again and give me him free[1],
For none can I have but my sailor boy."
"Oh, no, lady, he is not here;
He drownded in the Gull so clear.
Yonders rocky island as you pass by,
Oh, there's where. I left your true love lie."
She dashed her boat against a rock
And grieved as ever her heart was broke.
She wrung her hands and she tore her hair;
She was a lady in despair.
And whenever this maid was dead,
They found a note by the side of her bed;
And it was as you may understand,
Written in blood by the lady's hand[2].
1. "it will bring me joy," [rhyme]
2. The note would read "Go dig me grave both wide and deep, etc.