see also DT songfiles darkeyed; darkeye2

THE DARK EYED SAILOR
(tune from singing of J. E. Shepard)
(verses compiled from multiple sources)
(Doerflinger - 'Songs of the Sailor and Lumberman' - pp300-301)

'Twas of a maid-en both young and fair,
Whilst walk-ing out for to take the air.
She met a sail-or all on her way,
And I paid at-ten-tion,
And I paid at-ten-tion
to hear what they might say.

He says, Fair maid, why roam alone?
For the day's far spent and the night's coming on.
While crystal tears from her eyes did flow
It's for my dark-eyed sailor,
Oh, me dark-eyed sailor
That proved my overthrow!

Then three long years since he left this land;
A new gold ring he took off his hand,
He broke a token, gave one half to me,
While the other half's lying
While the other half's lying
At the bottom of the sea.

Oh, he says, fair maid, drive him from off your mind
For as good a sailor as him you'll find!
Love turns aside and cold does grow
Like a winter's morning
Like a winter's morning
When the hills are covered with snow

His coal-black eyes and curly hair,
His flattering tongue did my heart ensnare
Genteel he was, no rake like you,
to advise a maiden
to advise a maiden
to slight the jacket blue!

A tarry sailor I'll ne'er disdain,
But keep always true till he comes again.
So drink his health, here's a piece of coin,
But my dark-eyed sailor
But my dark-eyed sailor
Still claims this heart of min.

When William did the ring enfold
She seemed distracted idst joe and woe
You're welcome, William; I have lands and gold
for my dark-eyed sailor
For my dark-eyed sailor
So manly ture and bold!

Down in a cottage by a river side
In peace and harmony they now reside,
So girls, prove true whilst your lover's away
Oft a cloudy morning
Oft a cloudy morning
Brings forth a pleasant day.