Rambling Sailor, The

The Rambling Sailor

Roud 518

version from Chris Willett - as sung on The Roving Journeymen (Topic LP)

1. I am a sailor stout and bold
   Many a time I have ploughed the ocean
   Now I says: Brother sailors, I'll bid you all adieu
   No more to the sea will I go with you
   I will travel this country both far and near
   And still be the rambling sailor
   
   
2. Then it's on to a village town I went,
   Where I saw lasses plenty
   I boldly stepped up to one of them
   For to court her for her money
   Now I says: My girl, what do you choose?
   Ale or wine or the rum punch too,
   All besides a fine pair of silken shoes
   For to travel with your rambling sailor.
   
   
3. Now it's when I woke it was in the morn,
   I left my girl a sleeping
   I left her for an hour or two
   While some other girl I went a courting
   Now if she stays there till I return
   She may stop there till the day of doom,
   I'll court some other girl all in her room
   And still be the rambling sailor.
   
   
4. Then it's on to a village town I went
   Where I saw lasses plenty
   I boldly stepped up to one of them
   For to court her for her beauty
   I says: My girl, be with all good cheer
   I'll leave you not, so you need not fear
   I will travel the country both far and near
   And still be the rambling sailor.
   
   
5. Now it's if you want to know my name,
   My name it is Young Johnson
   I've got commission from the Queen
   For to court all girls that's handsome
   With my false heart and my flattering tongue
   I'll court them all both old and young.
   I'll court them all and I'll marry none
   And still be the rambling sailor.