Cat. #0911 (MFH #680) - As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on September 16, 1969
VERSE 1
Love is sweet, an' love is pleasant
Love is now a few
Now we've parted, broken hearted
O dear William, what shall I do
VERSE 2
When her parents came to know this
They was angry as could be
Said, I'll have him sent across th ocean
An' his face you'll never see
VERSE 3
He roamed th ocean over an' over
Till he came to th native shore
Cold drops of rain fell as it happened
Here is a chance for my true love t' see
VERSE 4
Good morning, good morning, my pretty fair maiden
Good morning, good mornig, will ya fancy me
My fancy's on some brisk young farmer
Who has lately crossed th sea
VERSE 5
O, describe 'im, O describe 'im
O, describe 'im , unto me
May-be I saw him an' I knew him
For I've lately crossed th sea
VERSE 6
He was fair an' he was handsome
He was proper an' true
Had black hair an' he wore it curly
An' his pretty blue eyes so blue
VERSE 7
Yes, I've saw 'im an' I knew him
An' I'm sure I saw 'im fall
Saw a French cannonball brush thru him
An' to death he quickli falls
VERSE 8
O, th screams of this fair lady
O, th screams was never told
O dear William, O dear William
O dear William, William Hall
VERSE 9
Cheer up, cheer up, my pretty fair maiden
Cheer up, cheer up, an' listen unto me
To convince you of my story
Here is a ring you once give me
VERSE 10
They joined right hands an' together
To th church house they did go
There they married and are happy
Wher' their parents were willin' or no