As I roved out one evening fair,
It bein' the summertime to take the air,
I spied a sailor and a lady gay
???? And I stood to listen ???? 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 while the tears did roll:
“???? For my dark-eyed sailor ????, so young and stout and bold.”
“'Tis seven long years since he left this land,
A ring he took from off his lily-white hand.
One half of the ring is still here with me,
???? But the other's rollin' ???? 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 soon cold does grow
???? Like a winter's morning ????, the hills all white with snow.”
She said, “I'll never forsake my dear,
Although we're parted this many a year.
Genteel he was and no rake like you,
???? To induce a maiden ???? to slight the jacket blue.”
One half of the ring did young William show,
She ran distracted, in grief and woe.
Sayin': “William, Will, I have gold in store,
???? For my dark-eyed sailor ???? has proved his overthrow.”
And 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 ???? brings in a sunny day.
