Cat. #0283 (MFH #99) - As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pocahontas, Arkansas on November 12, 1958
VERSE 1
It was early, early in one spring
I pressed on board, to serve my king
I was writing letters to my dearest dear
And not one word from her could I hear
VERSE 2
I sailed up to her Fathers door
Inquiring of my dearest dear
He answered me, and with this reply
My daughter has married and you must be denied
VERSE 3
I asked him again, what did he mean
My daughter has married, to be a rich mans wife
Go, so go, young man, and seek you a wife
VERSE 4
Well, be'ns I've lost my golden crown
I'll sail this ocean, 'round and around
I'll sail on sea, till th day I die
I'll split th way, where th bullets fly
VERSE 5
O, Willie, Willie, stay on shore
And don't go back to war no more
For a many true love has been denied
Since you have been sailing the ocean wide
VERSE 6
Curse all th gold and silver too
And all those girls that won't prove true
When all their vows and promises break
And marry another, for riches sake