Sailor's Wife- Charles Brink (PA) 1949 Bayard
[From: Samuel Preston Bayard Folklore Recordings (YouTube) Charles S. Brink #2 (at 21:57)
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qga9oW0vUcc&index=12&list=PLfkrWr_vIGB9l33oOjTC2M6JlhxfoPlQz
This is an original version with an opening stanza where the lovers part.
R. Matteson 2017]
The Sailor's Wife- sung by Charles S. Brink, recorded by Samuel Bayard on Feb. 12, 1949.
1. Oh Mary, Mary, my on-lye dear
My love to you has been sincere.
My love to you it doth remain,
And I hope we'll part for to meet again.
2. Give me a boat that's lined within,
That I may sail o'er the raging main.
And ev'ry ship I've chanced to meet,
That I may enquire for William Sweet.
3. She has not sailed far over the bay,
Till a gallant ship came down from Spain,
Oh, Sailor,sailor, tell me true,
Does William Sweet sail in your crew?
4. Oh no, oh no, my pretty maid,
He is drowned, I am afraid.
Last night being dark, and the wind blew high,
It's we lost sight of a bold sailor boy.
5. She wrung her hands and she tore her hair,
Like a pretty fair maid [that] was in despair
I'll plunge myself all in the deep,
in Willie's arms I hope to sleep.