Source: Songs of the West: Folk songs of Devon and Cornwall, song #86. Sabine Baring Gould. Originally published 1889-91.
No. 86 A SHIP CAME SAILING
1
A ship came sailing over the sea
As deeply laden as she could be;
My sorrows fill me to the brim,
I care not if I sink or swim.
* 2
Ten thousand ladies in the room,
But my true love's the fairest bloom,
Of stars she is my brightest sun,
I said I would have her or none.
3
I leaned my back against an oak,
But first it bent and then it broke,
Untrusty as I found that tree,
So did my love prove false to me.
4
Down in a mead the other day,
As carelessly I went my way
And plucked flowers red and blue,
I little thought what love could do.
5
I saw a Rose with ruddy blush,
And thrust my hand into the bush,
I pricked my fingers to the bone,
I would I'd left that rose alone!
6
I wish! I wish! but 'tis in vain,
I wish I had my heart again!
With silver chain and diamond locks,
I'd fasten it in a golden box.
* May be omitted in singing.
Notes:
86. A Ship Came Sailing over the Sea. This curious song was obtained by the late Rev. S. M. Walker of Saint Enoder, Cornwall, from a very old man in his parish, and it was sent me by [...]
[AC: I don't have access to the remainder of the notes. The song is considered a variant of "Deep in Love"/"Died for Love"/"Must I go bound", and it has floating fragments in common with both "O Waly Waly" branches.]
ABC transcription (with thanks to Robyn):
X:1
T:A Ship Came Sailing
S:Songs of the West, #86. Sabine Baring-Gould, 1889.
N:As sung by an old man of St. Enoder, Cornwall
N:Music arranged by H. Fleetwood Sheppard.
M:4/4
L:1/4
Q:1/4=80 "Con sentimento."
K:Bb
F/ || B A B (c/B/) | A G/> F/ F E | D F B c/ d/ | e d c z/ F/ |
w: A ship came sail-ing_ o-ver the sea, As deep-ly la-den as she could be; My
B d f (e/d/) | c G e (d/c/) | B G F E | D F B z/ F/ |
w: sor-rows fill me_ to the brim, I_ care not if I sink or swim, My
B d f (e/d/) | c G e (d/c/) | B G F "^rall."E | D F B2 ||
w: sor-rows fill me_ to the brim, I_ care not if I sink or swim.