THE RAKISH YOUNG FELLOW
(Verse tune same as "My Bonnie Is Over the Ocean")
1
I once was a rakish young fellow,
I never took care of my life.
I have sailed the ocean all over
And found in each port a fresh wife.

Refrain
But now that the wars are all over,
And I'm landed safe on the shore,
It's God bless me now and forever,
If I go to sea any more.

2
I have sailed through stormy weather,
I have travelled thro' hot and thro' cold.
I have ventured my life on the ocean,
I have ventured for honour and gold.
3
I will send for my friends and relations,
I will send for them every one,
And all for to make them quite welcome
I will send for a cask of good rum.
4
I will send for a cask of good rum, boys,
And two or three barrels of beer.
It is done for me to make them all welcome
To meet me at Derrydown fair.
5
And when I'm dead and I'm buried,
And past all the troubles of life,
Let there be no sighing nor sobbing,
But do a good turn for my wife.
6
Let there be no sighing nor sobbing
But one single favour I crave;
Wrap me up in my tarpaulin jacket,
And fiddle and dance o'er my grave.
7
Let six jolly fellows all carry me,
And let them be terribly drunk,
And as they are going along with me,
Let them fall down with my trunk.
8
There shall be such laughing and joking
Like so many men going mad;
They shall take a glass over my coffin,
Saying- there goes a true-hearted Lad.

Change refrains and the tune is essentially the same as "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean." I have changed the format to 4-line stanzas from the 8-line of the sheet.                                                                                                                                                      
Bodleian Library, Harding B16(218b), Pitts, Printer, London, between 1819 and 1844.