The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #166254   Message #4137940
Posted By: Reinhard
27-Feb-22 - 05:37 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Nancy of London
Subject: RE: Origins: Nancy of London
Nancy of Yarmouth (Nancy from London) in Journal of the Folk-Song Society, Vol. 3, No. 11 (1907), pp. 101-103
Collected by H.E.D. Hammond from Joseph Elliott at Todber, September 1905.

It's Nancy from London from the fair inland stream;
She was courted by William, he belongs to the sea;
She was courted by William a long time ago.
He's on the sea sailing where the stormy winds blow.

Oh! the stormy winds blow, boys, and make my pillow shake;
They make my room-window for to shiver and shake.
God knows where my love lies so far from the shore,
I'll pray for her welfare—what can I do more?

When the sailors are sailing, drink a health to their wives,
For they love their sweethearts, as they love their lives.
Here's a punch going round, my boys, here's a full glass in hand,
Here's a health to loving Nancy that I leave on dry land.

Oh! it's Nancy my jewel, my joy and heart's delight,
Here is one lovely letter I'm going for to write;
Here is one lovely letter for to let you know
That I'm on the sea sailing where the stormy winds blow.