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Title
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William and Harriet
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Singer
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Sawyer, David [Phoebus]
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Song Lyrics
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Verse 1
It's of a rich merchant in Bristol did dwell,
And he a daughter a sailor loved well;
Because he was handsome she loved him true,
And her father he wanted her to bid him adieu.
Verse 2
'Oh no, my dear father, I am not inclined,
For to drive my young sailor quite out of my mind.'
'Then unruly daughter, confined you shall be,
And I'll send your young sailor start over the sea.'
Verse 3
As she was a-sitting in her bower one day,
By chance her young Willie came walking that way;
She sang like a linnet and appeared like a dove,
The song that she sang was concerning her love.
Verse 4
He'd not been there long before young Willie passed by,
And on his dear Harriet cast a longing eye -
'If your cruel father with mine will agree,
They will send you a-sailing far over the sea.'
Verse 5
She says - 'My sweet William, with you I will go,
Since my cruel father has served me so;
I will pass for your shipmate and do all that I can,
With my Willie I'll venture like a jolly young man.'
Verse 6
So she dressed like a sailor, as near as could be,
They both went together across the salt;
They both went together to some foreign shore,
And never to old England returned any more.
Verse 7
As they were a-sailing by some foreign shore,
The wind from the ocean began for to roar;
The ship it went down to the bottom of the sea,
And cast on an island were William and she.
Verse 8
They wandered about some place for to spy,
They'd nothing to eat, and nowhere to lie;
So they sat down together upon the cold ground,
While the waves and the tempest made a terrible sound.
Verse 9
Sharp hunger came on them, and death it drew nigh,
They folded together, intending to die;
What pair could be bolder this world to bid adieu?
And now they must moulder like lovers so true.
Verse 10
Come all you true lovers that pass by this way,
Drop one tear of pity from your glittering eye;
Drop one tear of pity and point towards this way,
Where William and Harriet did slumber and die.
