POOR JACK IS GONE A-SAILING





Poor Jack is gone a-sailing

With trouble on his mind,

To leave his native country

And his darling one behind

I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh, 

So fare you well, my dear.



She stepped into a tailor shop

And man’s clothing she put on,

Madam before you take the boat

Your name I wish to know.

She smiled in her native kindness

And said "You may call me James Monroe."

I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing oh,

So fare you well, my dear.



The drum began to beat

The fife began to play,

Sweet Mary and her loving asilor

Began to sail away.

I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh,

So fare you well, my dear.



Your body’s long and slender

Your fingers they are long and small

Your cheeks are too rosy red

To face the ccannon ball.

I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh,

So fare you well, my dear.



My body’s long and slender 

My fingers they are long and small,

But my cheeks are none too rosy-red

To face the cannon ball,

It wouldn’t make me tremble 

To see ten thousand fall.

I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh, 

So fare you well, my dear.



Before the war was ended

She took a search around

Searching for her loving sailor

She found him and he was wounded and wound.

I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh,

So fare you well, my dear.



She picked him up in her arms

And carried him to some town,

And went for the older doctor

[woond] [wownd]

To cure his wound and wound.

I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh, I’ll sing oh, 

So fare you well, my dear.



the letters in brackets

are merely to indicate pronunciation.

M. Bost.