My Roud 18525 - Beautiful Nancy - is on my From Spithead Roads CD, and although I tried to get Nick to use it in The Southern Songster...he added another..

I added a couple of my own verses created from other local singers to Mrs. Mundy's song...

Beautiful Nancy.
Mrs. Munday - Axford 1907 - H983 - plus others.

As beautiful Nancy was a walking one day,
She met a young sailor upon the highway.
Said he, pretty fair maid, where are you a going,
Where are you a going, tell me pretty maid?

I am searching for Jemmy, young Jemmy my dear,
I have not a-seen him for more than nine year,
But while he is absent, a maid I will live and die.
But little did she think it was Jemmy so nigh.

Young Jemmy he stood watching for as long as he could forbear
And straightway he made himself be known to his dear.
She denied lords and squires for so many a long year,
For my long absent Jemmy, my fond sailor dear.

I was captured by pirates, I could not get away.
My thoughts have been with you love, by night and by day,
And now I’ve gained my freedom, and I’m safe at home with thee,
No more will I venture all on the salt sea.

He flew into her arms and round her neck did twine
Saying Beautiful Nancy forever I will be thine
Come let us be united and live happy all on the shore
The bells they shall ring merrily and I’ll go to sea no more.

Tim Radford