From (I think) Songs & Ballads of Nova Scotia by Helen Creighton, as sung by Angelo Dornan (I'm sure of that), of Newcastle(?), New Brunswick:


Jolly Roving Tar


It was in the city of London Town,
'Twas there by the highway,
Where I espied a damsel fair,
As she alone did stray;
She appeared to me like Venus,
Or some other lonely star;
As she walked the beach lamenting,
For her jolly roving tar.

Oh, many's the pleasant evening,
My love and I did pass.
With many's the jovial sailor lad,
And many's the fair young lass;
With a fiddler sweetly playing,
Likewise a wild guitar,
I walked hand in hand together
With my jolly roving tar.

Pretty Susan, she jumped in the ship,
And gaily rowed for shore;
Saying, I'll go see my father's ships,
And see that there well stored.
Provisions, we had plenty,
There's lots of grog in store,
I will cross the briny ocean,
For my jolly roving tar.

Pretty Susan, she jumped in the boat,
And gaily rowed for shore;
Saying, Farewell, ye maids of London,
I'll fear no wound or scar;
Farewell, ye maids of London,
I'll fear no wound or scar;
For my heart lies in the bosom,
Of my jolly roving tar.