The Female Drummer

When I was a fair maid about 17
I listed in the navy for to serve the queen
I listed in the navy a sailor lad to stand
To hear the cannons rattlin' and the music so grand
the music so grand, the music so grand
To hear the cannons rattlin' and the music so grand

The Officer that listed me was a tall and a handsome man
He said you'll make a sailor so come along my man
My waist being tall and slender, my fingers long and thin
The very soon they learnéd me, I soon exceeded them
I soon exceeded them, I soon exceeded them
The very soon they learnéd me, I soon exceeded them

They sent me to bed and they sent me to bunk
To lie with a sailor I never was afraid
But taking off my blue coat it often makes me smile
To think I've lain with a 100 men and a maiden all the while
a maiden all the while, a maiden all the while
For To think I've lain with a 100 men and a maiden all the while

They sent me up to London for to guard the tower
And I'm sure I might be there till my very dying hour
But a lady fell in love with me, I told her I was a maid
She went into the captain and my secret she betrayed
My secret she betrayed, my secret she betrayed
She went into the captain and my secret she betrayed

The Captain he came up to me and asked if this was so
I dare not I dare not I dare not say NO!
It's a pity we should lose you such a sailor lad you made
It's a pity we should lose you such a handsome young maid
a handsome young maid, a handsome young maid
It's a pity we should lose you such a handsome young maid

So fair thee well captain you've been so kind to me
And likewise my shipmates I'm sorry to part with thee
But if ever the navy needs a lad a sailor I'll remain
I'll put out me hat and feathers and run the riggin again
I'll run the riggin again, I'll run the riggin again,
I'll put out me hat and feathers and run the riggin again

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See Handsome Young Sailor in the Digital Tradition