I am but a poor girl, My misfortunes seem sad Many months I've been courting A young sailor lad I've courted him gaily By night and by day But now for a transport He's gone far away Oh, if I were a bluebird I'd whistle and sing I would light on the vessel my true love sails in Whilst in the top rigging I would take the wind west And I would lie all night long on his lily-white breast If I were a bluebird My love's tall and handsome With every degree My parents despise him Because he loves me But let them despise him And say what they will Whilst I've breath in my body I'll love my lad still Oh, if I were a bluebird I'd whistle and sing I would light on the vessel my true love sails in Whilst in the top rigging I would take the wind west And I would lie all night long on his lily-white breast If I were a bluebird They say he'll forget me When he sails 'round the world And that in every harbor There are prettier girls They say I'll forget too But I say, not me My love is forever It never will cease Oh, if I were a bluebird I'd whistle and sing I would light on the vessel my true love sails in Whilst in the top rigging I would take the wind west And I would lie all night long on his lily-white breast If I were a bluebird It's been many a year now He's been in the New World They say that he married A fine Creole girl Oh, love it is faithless It's a terrible thing Oh, love it is killing Have you felt the pain? Oh, if I were a bluebird I'd whistle and sing I would light on the vessel my true love sails in Whilst in the top rigging I would take the wind west And I would lie all night long on his lily-white breast If I were a bluebird If I were a bluebird If I were a bluebird