Here's another version, from Ballads and Sea Songs of Newfoundland (Elisabeth Bristol Greenleaf, 1933, pp. 224-225)

THE GENTLE BOY
Sung by Stephen White, Sandy Cove, 1929

As I roved out one evening
As I sat down to rest,
I saw a boy scarce four years old
Sleep on his mother's breast.
" 'Twas once I had a father dear
Who did us fond embrace,
If he was here to wipe the tears
Roll down my mother's face.

" 'Twas once I had a father dear;
He took us both to see
With colors red and white sails spread
O'er the deep blue summer's sea.
That time I do remember well,
As he sailed from the strand,
His last word was "God bless you both
Till I returns to land."

"Now all the ships are coming inm
Dear mother, tell me why,
Why don't my father's ship return?
Why do you weep and cry?
Now all the ships are coming in,
Part in their wives safe home;
Why don't my father's ship return,
And why don't he come home?"

"Your father's ship, my gentle boys,
Long time have crossed the main,
Till a hurricane the ocean swept;
You'll never see him again.
Your father's ship, my gentle boy
Are dashed beneath the wave,
Where loudly roared the cannon;
Ships sail over your father's grave.

"There is a burden from him brought,
I fold it to my side.
There is a home for you and I
That lives beyond the skies.
There is a burden from him brought
I fold it to my side."
They cast their eyes to heaven,
And son and mother died.