A sailor's life is a merry life
They robs young girls of their heart's delight
Leavin' them behind for 2 weep & mourn
They never know when they will return

Here's 4 & 20 all in a row
My sweetheart cuts the brightest show
He's proper, tall, genteel withal
& if I don't have him, she said, I'll have none at all

Oh, there's 4 & 20 all in a row
My sweetheart cuts the finest show
He's proper, tall, genteel withal
If I don't have him I'll have none at all

Oh, Father, fetch me a lil boat
That I might on the ocean float
& every Queen's ship that we pass by
We'll make enquire for my sailor boy

Oh, Father, build me a bonny boat
That on the wide ocean I may float
& every Queen's ship that we pass by
There I'll enquire for my sailor boy

We hadn't sailed long upon the deep
Before a Queen's we chanced 2 meet
You sailors all, come tell me true
Does my sweet William sail among your crew?

Now they had not sailed long upon the deep
Before the Queen's ship they chanced 2 meet
You sailors all, pray tell me true
Does my sweet William sail among your crew?

Oh, no, fair lady, he isn't here,
For he is drownded, we greatly fear
On yon green island as we passed by
There we lost sight of your sailor boy

Oh, no, fair maid, he is not here,
For he's been drownded, we greatly fear
On yon green island as we passed by
There we lost sight of your sailor boy

She wrung her hands & she tore her hair
Much like a woman in great despair
Her lil boat against a rock did run
How can I live now my William is gone?

Now she wrung her hands & she tore her hair
Much like a damsel in great despair
Her lil boat against a rock did run
How can I live now my William is gone?