| As I roved out one evening fair
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| It bein' the summertime to take the air
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| I spied a sailor and a lady gay
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| And I stood to listen
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| And I stood to listen to hear what they would say
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| He said «Fair lady, why do you roam
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| For the day is spent and the night is on»
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| She heaved a sigh while the tears did roll
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| «For my dark-eyed sailor
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| For my dark-eyed sailor, so young and stout and bold.»
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| «'Tis seven long years since he left this land
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| A ring he took from off his lily-white hand
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| One half of the ring is still here with me
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| But the other’s rollin'
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| But the other’s rollin' at the bottom of the sea.»
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| He said «You may drive him out of your mind
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| Some other young man you will surely find
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| Love turns aside and soon cold has grown
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| Like the winter’s morning
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| Like the winter’s morning, the hills are white with snow.»
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| She said «I'll never forsake my dear
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| Although we’re parted this many a year
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| Genteel he was and a rake like you
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| To induce a maiden
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| To induce a maiden to slight the jacket blue.»
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| One half of the ring did young William show
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| She ran distracted in grief and woe
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| Sayin' «William, William, I have gold in store
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| For my dark-eyed sailor
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| For my dark-eyed sailor has proved his honour long»
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| And there is a cottage by yonder lea
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| This couple’s married and does agree
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| So maids be loyal when your love’s at sea
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| For a cloudy morning
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| For a cloudy morning brings in a sunny day |