Found in Real Sailor Songs, edited by John Ashton (London: Leadenhall Press, 1891), page 55, and in the Bodleian Library, where it is called THE MERCHANT’S DAUGHTER. THE SAILOR’S MISFORTUNE AND HAPPY MARRIAGE There was an old Merchant of honour and fame, He lived in London, I know not his name, He had a young daughter whose beauty was clear, And persons of honour did court her we hear. Yet, nevertheless, she refused them all, And lov'd a young sailor, was proper and tall, And sent him a letter, her mind to reveal, That she was not able her love to conceal. He received the letter with joy and with mirth, And unto her father's he presently went, There unto each other revealed their minds, With many sweet kisses and compliments fine. At last her old father got word by the bye, That on the young sailor she had cast an eye; Ne'er mind, said the father, I will them soon part, I'll seem to prove kind, tho' 'tis not in my heart. Next morning, as soon as the stairs he came down, He call'd on his daughter, they say, with a frown, Saying, daughter, will you speak to and embrace, And marry a sailor, your friends to disgrace? Dear honoured father, your pardon I crave, There's none in the world, but the sailor I'll have, For he is my dear, and my only joy, And, if I don't have him, myself I'll destroy. Well, beautiful daughter, if that is your lot, To marry a sailor, I'll hinder you not; But, pray do it in private, talk nothing of me, And when it is over, we'll bravely agree. But when they were going in at the church door, A press gang did meet them, 'twas near to a Score, Instead of being Married, he was pressed away, So nothing was there but a sorrowful day. This fair maid dress'd herself in man's clothes, And unto the very same Captain she goes, She entered herself, and it fell to her lot, To lie in her love's arms, tho' he knew her not. When many a day with each other they'd sail'd, And many a night with each other they'd laid, O! I once had a true love, the sailor did say, But her cruel parents they press'd me away. 'Tis well known I was brought up to my pen, Some knowledge of 'strology, Jack now and then, Come, tell me your age, and I'll throw up your lot, And tell whether you'll ever have her or not. He look'd in her face, his mind fill'd with care, Said he would be twenty-four next November, She smiled and said, she was much surpris'd, That he did not know her, tho' in disguise. Then, straight to her arms, like lightning he flew, Saying, Many a hazard I've ventured for you; You might see how the sailor enjoy'd his sweetheart, Now doubt but the sailor could act his own part. Now when this young couple return'd to this land, Her father was dead, as we understand, And she was heiress of her father's estate, And he was the Lord of riches most great. Now this couple was married, as plainly appears, Enjoying one another, without dread or fears, With love out of measure, unto their content, And spend their lives in sweet innocence.
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