As I walked out one evening fair
It being the summertime, to take the air
I spied a sailor and a lady gay
And I stood to listen
And I stood to lilsten
To hear what they would say
He said fair lady why do you roam
For the day is spent and the night is on
She heaved a sigh as the tears did roll
For my dark eyed sailor
For my dark eyed sailor
So young and stout and bold
'Tis seven long years since he left this land
A right he took from his lily-white hand
One half of the ring is still here with me
But the other's rolling
But the other's rolling
At the bottom of the sea
He said you may drive him out of your mind
Some other young man you will surely find
Love turns aside and cold does grow
Like a winter's morning
Like a winter's morning
The hills are white with snow
She said I never would forsake my dear
Although we're parted this many a year
Genteel he was and a rake like you
To induce a maiden
To induce a maiden
And slight the jacket blue
One half of the ring did young William show
She ran distracted in grief and woe
Crying William, William I have gold in store
For my dark eyed sailor
For my dark eyed sailor
Has proved his honour long
There is a cottage by yonder lea
This couple's married and does agree
So maids be loyal when your love's at sea
For a cloudy morning
For a cloudy morning
Brings in a sunny day