The Sea-Faring Man- Parsley (AR) 1951 Carlisle; Bronson 105
[Transcription of LC/AAFS, rec. No. 10,814 (B1) by Bronson/Carlisle that appears in Bronson's TTCB III, 1966 no. 105. See also to listen; Ozark Folk Songs online:
http://digitalcollections.uark.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/OzarkFolkSong/id/430/rec/19
R. Matteson 2013]
"The Sea-Faring Man"- Sung by W. W. Parsley, Springdale, Ark., February 7, 1951. collected by Irene Carlisle.
What a life, what a life, says the seafaring man,
I've just returned from the salt salt sea,
And it's all for the sake of thee,
And it's all for the sake of thee.
If you will forsake your house carpenter
And come and go with me,
I'll take you where the grass grows green
On the banks of sweet Val Varie[1],
On the banks of sweet Val Varie.
She hadn't been on board not more than three weeks,
I'm sure it hadn't been four,
Till, alas! the fair lady jumped overboard
And her weeping was heard no more,
And her weeping was heard no more.
1. Parler has "Belvaree"