Here are the words I know. Think from a record I had of Anne Byrne. Oh what a voice. Is she still singing? This was probably from the mid-70s.

If I was a blackbird I'd whistle and sing,
And follow the ship that my true love sails in,
And in the top rigging, I'd there build my nest,
And lay down my head on his lily-white breast.

I am a young maiden my story is sad,
For once I was courted by a bold sailor lad.
He courted me fondly by night and by day,
And now my poor sailor has sailed far away.

He promised to take me to Donnybrook fair
To buy me red ribbons to tie up my hair,
And when he returned from the ocean so wide,
He'd take me and make me his own loving bride.

His parents they slight me and cannot agree
That I and my sailor lad married shall be,
But when he returns I will greet him with joy,
And take to my bosom my dear sailor boy.