oh well there wouldn`t be a sailor lad a sailin`on the main
to gain the good will of his captain`good name
he came ashore on evening for to be
and that was the beginning of my own true love and me

well I asked her for a candle for tolight me up to bed
and likewise for a handkerchief to tie around me head
she tended to me needs like a young maid ought to be
so then I say to her, "now won`t you leap in with me too

well she jumped into bed, making no alarm
thinking a young sailor lad could to her no harm
well I hugged her and kissed her the whole night long
till she wished the short night had been nine years long

well early the next morning the sailor lad arose
and into Mary`s apron threw a handful of gold
saying, "take this to me daer for the mischief that I`ve done
for tonight I faer I`ve left you with a daughter or a son

well, if it be a girl child, send her out to nurse
with gold in her pocket and with silver in her purse
and if it be a boy child he`ll wear the jacket blue
and go climbing up the rigging like his daddy used to do