1. At Johnson Ballads 624 there is a song called THE SERVANT OF ROSEMARY LANE, printed in London "between 1790 and 1840." The lyrics are practically identical to the lyrics posted by Countess Richard above.
2. At Harding B 11(4221), there is another version of THE SERVANT OF ROSEMARY LANE, printed in London "between 1819 and 1844." It is also nearly the same, but has these differences:
After verse 2:
I crept into bed for to keep myself warm. He vowed and he swore he would do me no harm What he did to me I ne'er will declare, But I wish that short night and been seven long years.
And in the next verse:
And in my smock tail he threw handfuls of gold....
3. Finally, Harding B 26(347), printed in Belfast "between 1846 and 1852" has this:
THE LASS THAT LOVED A SAILOR
When I was a servant in Rosemary Lane I was well beloved by a master of fame, Till at length a bold sea captain came to our house from sea, And that was the commencement of my sad misery.
He called for a candle to light him to bed, And likewise a napkin to tie on his head, And likewise a napkin as he always used to do. He says, "My pretty fair maid, will you come to bed too?"
This maid being young and innocent, she thought it no harm. She jumped into bed to keep his back warm. In the middle of the night, he grew rather bold, And into my lap slipped three handfuls of gold.
Early next morning, this young maid arose, And down to her mother she quickly goes. She said, "Begone, you saucy jade! As you disobeyed me, You may go to the sea captain. You'll not stay with me."
"Hold your tongue, dear mother. I'm not a pin the worse. I've gold in my pocket and silver in my purse. I have gold in my pocket to pay the nurse's fee, And I'll pass for a maid in some strange country."
With his trousers and blue jacket and his hat all trimmed with gold, He will march along the deck like a jolly seaman bold. With his handkerchief all lace, and his hat all trimmed with gold, He will march along the deck like his father a seaman bold.
He will march on the deck, like his father a seaman bold, And meet some other fair maid to whom he will give gold. If it be a girl, it will stay at home with me, And if it be a boy, he will plough the raging sea.
God bless the seas that my love he does sail on, And likewise the small boat that carries him along, And the ash, and the oak, and the bonnie willow tree; But now I am a maid at my own liberty.