PRETTY NANCY (Alternative text)

Pretty Nancy of (London) she dwells in our street
She was courted by William who belongs to the fleet
When the trumpet it sounded, to the wars he must go
Which filled her poor bosom with sorrow and woe

'Oh, Nancy, dear Nancy', these words he did say
'Our ship she lies anchored and I must away'
As he kissed her red, rosy cheeks tears from his eyes did fall
When he bid his dear Nancy adieu and farewell

'Oh, William, dear William, this will break my heart
Since you and I, love, for ever must part
You are a-going to those wars, love, where loud cannons roar
Where I never, no never, shall see you any more'

Oh, the stormy winds blow, boys, they make my pillow shake
It makes my room windows for to shiver and quake
God knows where my love lies so far from the shore
I'll pray for his welfare, what can I do more?

When the sailors are sailing they drink a health to their wives
For they all love their sweethearts as they love their own lives
Here's a full punch going round, my boys, here's a full glass in hand
Here's a health to loving Nancy that I leave on dry land

Source: Frank Purslow (ed) 'The Foggy Dew' EFDS Publications Ltd, London, 1974, p 72.
^^