Hi,

It seems that a song adapted by John Gay (1685- 1732) and published as a poem in 1720 is a possible antecedent to Sweet William, the Sailor Boy. Among the opening lines are the obvious antecedent lines 4-6. Richard Leveridge, a London bass singer, is credited with setting the poem to music. From: John Gay, "Poems on Several Occasions" (London: Jacob Tonson and Bernard Lintot, 1720).

Sweet William's Farewell to Black-ey'd Susan: A Ballad

1 All in the Downs the fleet was moor'd,
2    The streamers waving in the wind,
3 When black-ey'd Susan came aboard.
4    Oh! where shall I my true love find!
5 Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true,
6    If my sweet William sails among the crew?

The rest of the poetry by Gay is not related but still tells the same story-- the parting of the sailor, Sweet William and his love.

Richie