It looks as though most English recorded versions of Lovely On the Water (Purcell Singers/ Steeleye Span/ Frankie Armstrong) head back to the version collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams from Mr Hilton of South Walsham in Norfolk. Here's the version published by Roy Palmer in the book 'Folksongs Collected by R.V.W.' republished recently by Llanerch Press as 'Bushes and Briars'

As I walked out one morning in the springtime of the year,
I overheard a sailor boy, likewise a lady fair.

They sang a song together made the valleys for to ring,
While the birds on spray and the meadows gay, that proclaimed the lovely spring.

Said Henry to Nancy, We must soon sail away,
For it's lovely on the water to hear the music play.

For our queen she do want seamen, so I will not stay on shore,
I will brave the wars for my country where the cannon loudly roar'.

'Oh', then said pretty Nancy,'pray stay at home with me,
Or let me go along with you to bear you company.

I'll put on a pair of trousers and leave my native shores,
Then let me go along with you where the cannon loudly roar'.

'It will not do', said Henry, 'it's in vain for you to try,
They will not ship a female', young Henry did reply.

'Besides your hands are delicate, and the ropes would make them sore,
And it would be worse if you should fall where the cannon loudly roar'.

Poor Nancy fell and fainted, and soon they brought her too;
They both shook hands together and took a fond adieu.

'Come change your ring with me, my love, for we may meet once more,
There's one above that will guard you, love, where the cannon loudly roar'.

'Four pounds is our bounty, and that will do for thee
For to help thy aged parents while I am on the sea'.

For Tower Hill is crowded with mothers weeping sore,
For their sons are gone to face the foe where the cannons loudly roar.

There's many a mother's darling has entered for the main,
And in the dreadful battles what numbers will be slain.

For many a weeping mother and widow will deplore
For those who fall by cannon balls where the cannon loudly roar.

Palmer notes:- Verses 5, 6, 7 (part), 13 and 14 added from broadside 'Henry & Nancy or the Lover's Seperation' printed by Harkness of Preston.^^