I think this was written by Andy M Stewart of Silly Wizard Fame but I'm happy to be corrected....

This has a twist where the young sailor lad goes to sea, misses the girl, comes home etc. then his true love sails away leaving him the one to be left behind...


IF I WAS A BLACKBIRD.


I am a young sailor, my story is sad
Though once I was carefree and a brave sailor lad
I courted a lassie by night and by day
Ah but now she has left me and sailed far away

Chorus
If I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in
And in the top rigging I'd there build my nest
and I'd flutter my wings o'er her lily white breast

If I was a scholar and could handle the pen
One secret love letter to my true love I'd send
And I'd tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain
Since she's gone and left me in yon foreign land

I sailed o'er the ocean my fortune to seek
Though I missed her caress and her kiss on my cheek
I returned and I told her my love was still warm
But she turned away lightly and great was her scorn

I offered to take her to Donnybrook Fair
And to buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair
I offered to marry and to stay by her side
But she says in the morning she sails with the tide

My parents they chide me and will not agree
Saying me and my false love never married should be
Ah but let them deprive me, let them do as they will
While there's breath on my body she's the one that I love still