From The Quaver; or, Songster's Pocket Companion (London: Charles Jones, 1844), page 54:


BESSY, THE SAILOR'S BRIDE.

Poor Bessy was a sailor's bride,
And he was off to sea.
Their only child was by her side,
And who so sad as she?

"Forget me not, forget me not,
When you are far from me,
And whatsoe'er poor Bessy's lot,
She will remember thee."

A twelvemonth scarce had past away,
As it was told to me,
When Willy with a gladsome heart
Came home again from sea.

He bounded up the craggy path,
And sought his cottage door,
But his poor wife and lovely child,
Poor Willy saw no more.

"Forget me not, forget me not,"
The words rung in his ear.
He asked the neighbours one by one.
Each answer'd with a tear.

They pointed to the old church-yard,
And there his youthful bride,
With the pretty child he loved so well,
Were resting side by side.