A couple from County Clare singers and a similar version from an Irish Traveller in London .
Jim Carroll



FEMALE SAILOR

Recorded from Pat MacNamara, Kilshanny, North Clare

I hadn't in the world but one true love sure and Jamie was his name
And if I don't chance for to find him sure I'll mourn right constantly
For It's all for the sake of Jamie love I'll cross the raging sea

And I'll cut off my yellow locks and a sailor's suit put on
Just like a gallant soldier brave on the road I'll march along
If I don't chance for to find him sure I'll mourn until I die
For It's all for the sake of Jamie love I'll cross the raging sea

It being a Sunday that we where going to bed
Meeting with the captain sure him we did know well
Meeting with the captain with him we did agree
To be his loyal comrade to the lands of liberty

Now it being a few days after as we reached near the shore
The captain smiled and shook his head, saying "I wish you where a maid for me
For your rosy cheeks and ruby lips they have enticed me
And I wish to god dear sailor boy you where a maid for me

Now hold your tongue dear captain your talk is all in vain
For if the sailors came to know they would laugh and make great game
For a sailor I was once on board but a maid I am now ashore
Adieu, adieu, dear captain, adieue for evermore

Well turned, well turned, my pretty little girl now sail once more with me
For I have a handsome portion I would give it all to thee
Now boys I have ten thousand pounds ????????? buy for thee
So turn, so turn my pretty little girl sure and sail once more with me

Saying I haven't in the world but one true love sure and Jamie was his name
And hardly had those words escaped my lips when my Jimmy appeared to me

---

FEMALE SAILOR

(LAWS N12)
Rec, from Mikey Kelleher; in Deptford, London (originally from Quilty, Co Clare Aug. 1977.

I am a girl that's deep in love and no-one feels my pain,
I'm searching for my lover and Johnny is his name,
If I don't find my Johnny I'll look so tenderly,
And it's after my own Johnny I'll sail across the sea.

I'll cut off my yellow locks and sailors clothes I'll put on,
I'll hire with this sea-bold captain and his decks I'll march a long,
I'll hire with this sea-bold captain and his cabin boy I'll be,
And I'll be his real comrade in the land of liberty.

It being on a Sunday evening as we were going to bed,
The captain laughed and shook his head saying, I wish you was a maid,
With your rosy cheeks and ruby lips they are enticing me,
And I wish to God and from my heart that you was a maid for me.

Hold your tongue dear captain, your talk is all in vain,
When the sailors come to hear of this they'll laugh and make great game,
When your ship shall reach those islands some handsome girl you'll find,
When our ship shall reach those islands it's then we will prove kind.

It being in a few days after his ship has reached the shore,
Goodbye, goodbye you captain, goodbye for ever more,
Goodbye, God bless you captain, good bye for evermore,
Once I been a sailor on hoard, but now I'm a maid on shore.

So return, return my pretty girl, return once more with me,
I've got in the world three thousand pounds and that I'll give to thee,
I've got in the world three thousand pounds and that I'll give to thee,
If you'll return, return, my pretty girl and sail once more with me.

---

FEMALE SAILOR

Recorded from Katie Dooley, (Mikeen McCarthy's sister), Kerry Traveller

I am a girl that's deep in love and no-one feels my pain,
I'm searching for my lover and Johnny is his name,
If I don't find my Johnny I'll look so tenderly
And it's after my own Johnny I'll sail across the sea.

I'll cut off my yellow locks and sailors clothes put on,
I'll hire with this sea bold captain and his decks I'll march along,
I'll hire with this sea bold captain and his cabin boy I'll be,
And I'll be his real comrade in the land of liberty.

It being on a Sunday evening as we were going to bed,
The captain laughed ahd shook his head saying, "I wish you was a maid,
With your rosy cheeks and ruby lips, they are enticing me,
And I wish to god and from my heart that you was a maid for me.

Hold your tongue dear captain, your talk is all in vain,
When the sailors come to hear they'll laugh and make great game,
When your ship shall reach those islands some handsome girl you'll find
When your ship shall reach those islands it's then we will prove kind.

It being in a few days after his ship has reached the shore,
"Goodbye, goodbye you captain, goodbye for evermore,
Goodbye, God bless you, captain, goodbye for evermore,
One I been a sailor on board but now I'm a maid on shore".

"So return, return my pretty girl, return once more with me, I
've got in the world three thousand pounds and that I'll give to thee,
I've got in the world three thousand pounds and that I'll give to thee,
If you'll return, return, my pretty girl and sail once more with me".