Sailor Boy- Mrs. J. B. O' Connell (OH) 1922 Star
[My title, none given. Sent to: "A Hoosier Listening Post." Published June 19, 1922 in The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana. Parts of transcript are illegible. Their notes follow,
R. Matteson 2017]
Three ballads have been sent to this column by Mrs. J. B. O' Connell of Indianapolis.
[Sailor Boy] by Mrs. J. B. O' Connell of Indianapolis, published on June 19, 1922.
"Oh. father, father! Build me a boat,
That on the ocean I may float.
To meet the French fleet as they pass by,
And inquire for my sailor boy."
"Oh. captain, captain Come tell me true.
Does my sweet William sail aboard with you7"
"What kind of lad Is your William fair.
And what kind of clothes does your William wear?"
"He wears a Jacket of the royal blue,
And you trust know him, for his heart is true;
His hair Is dark and his skin is fair.
And a sailor uniform my love does wear."
"Then your true love, William, he is not here.
He Is drowned, we all do fear.
On yon green Island, as we passed by,
'Twas there we lost our sailor boy."
She wrung her hands and she tore her hair.
She wan like a lady In deep despair:
Her little sailboat she turned around,
Saying, "How can I live when my William's drowned?"
"Give me a pen to I write a note,
To write the last words my William spoke,"
At every line she dropped a tear,
And at every verse she cried, "William, dear."
"Oh, dig my grave both long and deep.
Put a marble stone at my head and feet.
And on my breast place the turtle dove,
Let the whole world see that I died of love."
The captain ordered a boat let down
Where the tiny sail craft was turning round.
Saying, "Margaret, Margaret have no fear,
For I am your William and captain here."