Earliest known printing

"The Sailor's Return"

Second song in a Chapbook of six songs
Printer/Publisher: J. & M. Robertson (Glasgow)
Date: 1802

Held at the National Library of Scotland L.C.2836(18)
https://digital.nls.uk/104185395

The Sailor's Return


A FAIR maid walking all in a garden,
a brisk young sailor she chanc’d to spy;
He stept up to her, thinking to have her,
said he, Fair maid, can you fancy I?

You seem to me some man of honour,
some man of honour you seem to me;
How can you impose on a poor young woman,
that is not fit your servant to be?

If you are not fit to be my servant,
I’ve got a great regard for thee;
I thought to marry you, make you my lady,
for I’ve got servants to wait on thee.

I have got a sweetheart all of my own, Sir,
and seven long years since he's gone from me;
And seven more I will wait for him,
if he’s alive, he’ll return to me.

If it be seven years sine your love went from you,
surely he’s either dead or drown’d.—
If he is alive, I love him dearly;
and if he’s dead, I can wish him rest.

But when he found that his Sally was faithful,
It's a pity that love should be cross'd,—
I am your poor and single sailor,
that oftentimes the wide ocean cross'd.

If you be my poor and single sailor,
shew me the token I gave to thee;
For seven years makes an alteration,
since my true love has gone from me.

He pull'd his hand out of his bosom,
his fingers being long and small;
He shew'd the ring that was broke between them—
no sooner she saw it, than down dis fall.

He took her up into his arms,
and gave her kisses, one, two, by three;
I am your poor and single sailor,
that's just return'd to marry thee.

So, hand in hand, they went together,
unto the church without delay;
Where there he marry'd his lovely Sally,
and made her his lady gay.


Further discussion can be found in this thread
There Was a Maid in Her Father's Garden


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