Historical Folk Lyrics
"The Saucy Sailor"

I am bold John just returned on shore;
Look at this my portion;
I've gold and silver in great store,
Long time I've been on the ocean.

I'll go up to my sweetheart's house
And see if she will have me or no,
Saying: Nancy, will you wed,
Yes or No, Wed with the tarry sailor?

0 Nancy she turned around with a frown.
Do you think I'd marry you, no not I.
I want a man of high renown.
Do you think I would wed with a sailor?

0 John put his hand into his purse,
Taking out two handfuls of gold,
Saying: Nancy, will you wed, Yes or No,
Wed with the tarry sailor?

0 Nancy she turned around with a smile;
The sight of the money did her heart beguile.
I was only joking all the time;
To be sure I'll have my sailor.

If you were joking, I were in jest
It's only the cash to you I ...
So I see 'tis the money you love best,
So you will never get your sailor.

0 John sat up in public mine [sic]
Plenty of gold and silver kind,
Which made poor Nancy fret and frown
For the day she refused her sailor.