Black Eyed Susan
John Gay 1720
Traditional:
courtesy of www.SailorSongs.com
All in the downs the fleet was moored,
The streamers waving in the wind,
When black-eyed Susan came on board
Oh, where shall I my true love find
Tell me, ye jovial sailors, tell me true
If my sweet William sails among your crew
.............................................................
William was high upon the yard,
Kocked by the billows to and fro,
Soon as her well-known voice he heard
He sighed and cast his eyes below;
The cord slices swiftly through his glowing hands,
And, quick as lightning, on the deck he stands
...................................................................
Believe not what the landsmen say,
Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind,
They'll tell thee sailors, when away,
In every port a mistress find.
Yet, yes, believe them when they tell thee so,
For thou art present where so ever I go.
..............................................................
Oh Susan, Susan, lovely dear
My vows for ever true remain,
Let me kiss off that falling tear,
We only part to meet again;
Change as ye list, ye winds, my heart shall be
The faithful compass that still points to thee
............................................................
The boatswain gave the dreadful word,
The sails their swelling bosoms spread;
No longer must she stay on board;
They kiss she sighed he hangs his head;
The lessening boat unwilling rows to land,
"Adieu," she cries and waves her lily hand
The author of this website has put a lot of time and effort into gathering the greatest collection of sea shanties for the world to enjoy - There are songs that have been to sung to a job of work at sea for many, many years and collecting them has been a great endeavour. - Roger Chartier has made the effort out of his own interest and the requests that he has gotten to do this work from fellow musicians who wanted a good source of sea shanties to draw on and learn from. He has been told that for this effort he is a remarkable man.
