Bluegrass Messengers

Sweet Willie- Nannie Weaver (VA) 1918 Sharp MS

[My title. Cecil Sharp Manuscript Collection (at Clare College, Cambridge) (CJS2/9/3174). This is a rare version of C, the last stanza is out of place but the question by the captain (What kind of clothes does he wear?) is missing.

R. Matteson 2017]

Sweet Willie -Sung by Mrs. Nannie Weaver at Woolwine. Patrick  Co., Va., Aug. 25th 1918.

Way down on yon riverside,
Where the waters doth so gently glide,
I heard a poor lady mourn,
Saying: What shall I do, my true love's gone?

She built herself a little boat
And on the ocean she did float,
And every ship that she drew near,
She enquired for her sweet Willie dear.

She had not sailed all [long] on the deep,
And every ship that she drew near,
She enquired for her sweet Willie dear,
Saying: Captain, captain, tell me true,
Does my sweet Willie sail with you?

No, no, kind Miss, he is not here,
He lies in yonders deep, I fear.
On yon green isle as we passed by
We chanced to lose a fine sailor boy.

She wrung her hands, she tore her hair,
Just like some woman in despair.
Against a rock her boat she run,
Saying: I will have sweet Willie or none.

His rosy lips, his coal-black hair
Has drawn my heart in despair;
His rosy lips so neat and fine
Ten thousand times have pressed to mine.