The Dark-Eyed Sailor

As I roved out one evening fair,
It being summer to take the air.
I spied a sailor and lady gay,
And I stood to listen, and I stood to listen
To hear what they might say.
He said, "Fair lady, why do you roam?
The day is spent and the night is on."
She heaved a sigh while tears did flow.
"For me dark-eyed sailor, for me dark-eyed sailor
So young and stout and bold.
Tis seven long years since he left this land.
A ring he took of his lily-white hand.
One half 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, "Can't you drive him right out of your mind?
Another young man you surely can find.
Love turns aside and cold does grow
Like a winter's morning, like a winter's morning
When the hills are white with snow."
She said, "I will never forsake my dear
Although we're parted this many a year
Gentile he was and no villain like you
To induce a maiden, to induce a maiden
To slight the jacket of blue"
Then half of the ring did young William show,
She ran distracted in grief and woe
Saying, "William, William, I have gold in store
For me dark-eyed sailor, for me dark-eyed sailor
Who's proved his over throw."
There is a cottage by yonder lee,
This couple is married and does agree.
So maids be loyal when your love is away
For a coudy morning, for a cloudy morning
Brings in a sunny day.