BOLD PRIVATEER

1. "Oh Mary, darling Mary, since you and I must part,
I'm going to cross the ocean and leave with you my heart;
Since you are the mistress of ten thousand pounds a year
I must venture my life on board of the bold privateer."

2. "Oh, Willie, darling Willie, stay at home if you can,
Many a man has lost his life since this cruel war began.
Stay at home, dear Willie, with the girl who loves you dear
Do not venture your life on board of the bold privateer."

3. "Your father and your mother both owe me a great spite,
Likewise your brother has threatened my life.
I'm in hopes that soon from their anger I'll get clear
If I once set my foot on board of the bold privateer."

4. "Oh, Mary, darling Mary, ten thousand times adieu
Our good ship lies at anchor will all her jolly crew,
We'll run up our colours till our purpose we make clear
We will soon let them know that we are the bold privateer.

5. And now this war is over and God has spared our lives,
Some men are returning to their sweethearts and their wives,
But I am returning to the arms of my dear
For I ventured my life on board of the bold privateer."

DT #486
Laws O32
@parting @sailor @reunion
filename[ BOLDPRIV
JB

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Attribution missing for this version.

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THE BOLD PRIVATEER (2)

O, my dearest Molly,
It's you and I must part
I'm going across the sea, my love
I leave with you my heart

O who will go with me?
O who will go with me?
O who will go with me, my love
I'm going across the sea.

The ship now is waiting
So fare you well, my dear
I'm going on board the vessel
A bold privateer.

O my dearest Johnny
Great dangers have been wrought
And many a sweet life
On the sea has been lost.

You'd better stay at home
With the girl that loves you dear,
Than venture your sweet life
A bold privateer.

O my dearest Molly
Your friends do me dislike,
Besides you have two brothers
That would freely take my life.

Come change your ring with me, my dear,
Come change your ring with me,
And that shall be your token
When I'm across the sea.

And when this war is ended
Should heaven spare my life,
I return home
To my intended wife.

So soon I'll get married
To charming Molly dear,
And then forever bid adieu
To the bold privateer.

From English Folksongs from the Southern Appalachians, Sharp
Collected from Mrs. Mary F. Gross, VA 1918
DT #486
Laws O32
@parting @sailor
filename[ BLDPRIV2
TUNE FILE: BLDPRIV2
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