The text is almost identical to Sharp's b version given in 'English Folk-songs from the Southern Appalachians'.
I suggest that Cyril took this as a basis and made a few small changes.
Jim Carroll

Early Early In The Spring
Mrs Hester House, Hot Springs, N.C. Sept. 14th 1916

1. So early, early in the Spring;
I went on board to serve the King,
A-leaving of my love behind,
Who always told me her heart was mine

2 When I came back to her father's hall,
Enquiring for my jewel all,
Her cruel old father this replied :
Her mamma says O if you deny.

3 O she has married another man,
A richer man for all his life,
A richer man for all his life,
O he has made her his lawful wife.

4 O God curse gold and silver too
And all false women that won't prove true;
For some will take and then will break
All for the sake of richeree.

5 O stop, young man, don't talk too fast,
The fault is great, but none of mine ;
The fault is great, but none of mine;
Don't speak so hard of the female kind.

6 O if you had gold you might have part,
But as I have none you have gained my heart;
You have gained it all with a free good will,
So keep my vows and hold them still.

7 O since hard fortune around me frowns,
I'll sail the ocean around and around;
I'll sail the ocean till I die,
I'll quit my ways on a mountain high.