Sailor Shantey- Gertrude Crooks (AL) 1947 Arnold
[From: An Alabama Songbook: Byron Arnold, 1950--new edition by Robert W. Halli Jr., 2004. This opening is similar to the extant Irish variants.
R. Matteson 2017]
Sailor Shantey- sung by Mrs. Gertrude Crooks of Point Clear, Alabama on July 7, 1947.
1 “Early, early all in the spring
My love sailed out to save his King.
The raging sea and the wind blew high,
When parted me from a sailor boy.
2 “Oh Father, Father, build me a boat,
Out on the ocean I mean to float
To hail each friend's ship as they pass by,
And I'll inquire of my sailor boy.”
3 She had not sailed but a league or two
When she was met by a ship's full crew.
“Oh Captain, Captain, tell me true,
Does my Sweet Willie sail among your crew?”
4 “Indeed, fair lady, he is not here,
He's lost on an island, I do fear;
As a long green island as I passed by,
At last I saw your Willie die.”
5 She wrung her hands and she tore her hair;
She looked like a lady in great despair.
She dashed her small boat amid the rocks,
Saying, “How can I live when my love is lost?"
6 “Go dress all sailors up in black,
And on tomorrow I'll do the same.
From the cabin boy to the mainmast high,
I mourn for the loss of my sailor boy.
7 “Go dig my grave both wide and deep,
Place a marble stone at my head and feet,
And upon my breast a turtledove
To show to the world that I died for love.”