One morning in the month of May,
Down by a rolling river,
Oh, a jolly sailor, I did stray,
And I beheld some lover.
She carelessly along did stray,
A-viewing of the daisies gay;
And she sweetly sang a roundelay,
Just as the tide was a-flowing.
Oh, her dress it was as white as milk,
And j**els did adorn her.
And her shoes were of the crimson silk,
Just like some maid of honour.
Her cheeks were red, her eyes were brown,
Her hair in ringlets hanging down;
She'd a lovely brow without a frown,
Just as the tide was a-flowing.
I made a bow and said, "Fair maid,
How came you here so early?
My heart by you it is betray'd
And I could love you dearly.
I am a sailor come from sea,
Will you accept my company
To walk and view the fishes play,
Just as the tide is a-flowing?"
And no more we said, but on our way
We walked along together;
And the small birds sang and the lambs did play,
And pleasant was the weather.
When we were weary we sat down
Beneath a tree with the branches round;
And what was done shall ne'er be found
As long as the tide is a-flowing.
And as she lay there on the gra**
Her colour it was a-changing
And she cried out and said, "Alas,
Never let your mind be ranging.
Here's twenty pounds I have in store,
Well use it, when you will there's more.
Oh the jolly sailor I adore
Just as the tide is a-flowing."
We both shook hands and off did steer,
Jack Tar drinks rum and a brandy.
And to keep his shipmates in good cheer
The lady's gold is a-handy.
So along with another pretty maid I'll go
To a public house where the beer do flow,
Success to the maid that will do so
Just as the tide is a-flowing."