Here are the lyrics we have in the Digital Tradition:

DEEP BLUE SEA

Deep blue sea, baby, deep blue sea (3x)
It was Willy what got drownded
In the deep blue sea.

Dig his grave with a silver spade (3x)
etc.

Lower Him down with a golden chain (3x)
etc.

filename[ DEEPBLUE
TUNE FILE: DEEPBLUE
CLICK TO PLAY
RG

Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry:

Deep Blue Sea (II)

DESCRIPTION: "Deep blue sea, baby, deep blue sea...It was Willie what got drownded in the deep blue sea"; "Dig his grave with a silver spade..."; "Lower him down with a golden chain..."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1955 (recording, Pete Seeger)
KEYWORDS: death burial drowning floatingverses lullaby
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (3 citations):
PSeeger-AFB, p. 76, "Deep Blue Sea" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber-FSWB, p. 58, "Deep Blue Sea" (1 text)
DT, DEEPBLUE*
Roud #3119
RECORDINGS:
Pete Seeger, "Deep Blue Sea" (on PeteSeeger04) (on PeteSeeger12) (on PeteSeeger15)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Old Blue" (floating verses)
cf. "The 'Cholly' Blues" (floating verses)
cf. "Stormalong" (floating verses)
cf. "Dig My Grave With a Silver Spade" (floating lyrics)
NOTES: In this case, perhaps we should refer to "sinkingverses." This song should not be confused with "The Deep Blue Sea", aka "Sailor on the Deep Blue Sea," as recorded by the Carter Family. It may have been a shanty at some point. - PJS
File: PSAFB076

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The Ballad Index Copyright 2016 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.

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