Sweet Sailor Boy- (NC) c. 1915 Greer LV3
[My date. From unknown informant whose MS is in I. G. Greer Collection: Sailor Boy, Lyric Variant 02 and 03 (same text).
R. Matteson 2017]
The Sweet Sailor Boy- from I. G. Greer Collection c. 1915.
Ob a Sailor's life is a cruel life,
Has robbed some lady of her heart's delight.
She caused me to weep and she caused me to mourn
The loss of a true love never to return.
Oh Father, Oh Father, go build me a boat
Far over the ocean I may float.
Answer me quick for it will give me joy,
For I never loved any but my Sweet Sailor Boy.
Dark was the color of my true love's hair,
His cheek was like some lily fair.
If he'd only return 'twould give me joy
For I never loved any but my Sweet Sailor Boy.
Oh Captain, Oh Captain, tell me true,
Did my Sweet Willie sail with you?
Answer me quick for it will give me joy.
I never loved any but my Sweet Sailor Boy.
She looked down the shore and looked in vain;
Saw two ships return from Spain.
She halted each Captain as they passed by there,
And there she enquired for her Sweet Sailor Boy.
Oh she called for a chair to sit upon,
A pen and ink to write it down.
At the end of every line she dropped a tear,
At the end of every verse cried, Oh my dear.
Go dig my grave both wide and deep.
Put a marble stone at my head and feet
And on my breast a sweet turtle dove
To show to the world I died for love.