Cat. #0183 (MFH #348) - As sung by Mrs. Tressie Rose, Gainesville, Missouri on July 1, 1958
VERSE 1
Bright phoebus had risen and shone o'er th plain
Th birds were all singing in nature serene
I spied a fair couple on Erins bright shore
A viewing the ocean, where th billows do roar
VERSE 2
One was a lady, both gentle and fair
The other a sea captain, persuading his dear
Persuading his dear, to make a cunvoy
On a ship he commanded, called th Lady Leroy
VERSE 3
This lady being weary, she hung down her head
At length finding courage, she looked up and said,
I consent to go with you to make a cunvoy
On a ship you command, called th Lady Leroy
VERSE 4
She dressed herself up in a suit of mens clothes
And unto her Father, this lady did go
He purchased a vessel and paid the demand
But he knew not who received it from his own daughters hand
VERSE 5
When her cruel old Father had found out these plans
He determined to be revenged of this worthy young man
He says, my dear daughter, shall n'er be his wife
And for her disobeidence, I'll end her sweet life
VERSE 6
He rigged up two vessels all ready for flight
To put then to justice, was all his delight
He rigged up two vessels, bright colors did fly
Away in pursuit of th Lady Leroy
VERSE 7
They had not been sailing past two days or three
Till they saw a ship sailing on th far distant sea
They saw a ship sailing, that filled them with joy
For they hailed it and found it, was th Lady Leroy
VERSE 8
From side unto broadside for two hours or more
Like peels of flat thunder th cannons did roar
The old man cried, surrender, but th young man did reply
I'll fight for my lady, I'll conquer or die
VERSE 9
From side unto broadside for three hours or more
Like peels of loud thunder th cannons did roar
At last this young man, he gained th victory
And on with his vessel, sailed over th sea
VERSE 10
A rich Boston 'arbor, a port of great fame
And here these three vessels, we'll mention their name
One was th ship Essex, the other Leroy
Th third was th Friendship that made th cunvoy