Transcribed from a recording by Ian Campbell in "Blow The Man Down, Sea Songs and Shanties" - Topic Records TSCD464. This is an great collection of sea songs and shanties by traditional singers, re-released on CD by Topic Records.
LOVELY NANCY – Trad. Somerset, collected by Cecil Sharp
Farewell, my lovely Nancy, for it's now I must leave you, All on the salt seas I am bound for to go; But let my long absence be no trouble to you, For I shall return in the spring, as you know.
Like some pretty little sea boy, I will dress and go with you In the deepest of danger, I will stand as your friend; In the cold stormy weather, when the winds are a-blowing, My dear I'll be willing to wait upon you then.
Well, your pretty little hands they can't handle our tackle, And your dainty little feet on our topmast can't go; And the cold stormy weather, love, you can't well endure, I would have you ashore, when the raging winds do blow.
So fare you well my lovely Nancy, since it's now I must leave you, All on the salt seas I am bound for to go; But you must be safe, and be loyal and constant, For I shall return in the spring, as you know.