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Title
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William Taylor
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Singer
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Harvey, Henry [Wassail]
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Song Lyrics
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Verse 1
William Taylor was a brisk young sailor,
Once he courted a lady gay;
But a little before they could get married,
Pressed he was and sent away.
Verse 2
Five long years she waited for him,
She thought him either dead or drowned;
'If he's alive I'll love him dearly,
And if he's dead for him I'll mourn.'
Verse 3
She dressed herself in man's apparel,
And boldly boarded a man of war;
With her lily white hands and her long small fingers,
Dabbling in the pitch and tar.
Verse 4
And when she reached the field of battle,
There she fought along with the rest;
But the wind being high, blew her waistcoat apparel,
And there they spied her lily white breast.
Verse 5
As soon as the captain he did see her,
Says he, 'What wind has blown you here?'
'I've come to seek my dearest William Taylor,
You've pressed the man that I loved so dear.'
Verse 6
'Is William Taylor your true lover?
If he is, he's a false young man;
For tomorrow morning he's going to be married,
To some lady of this land.
Verse 7
If you rise early tomorrow morning,
Early by the break of day;
Then you will see your dearest William Taylor,
Walking with some lady gay.'
Verse 8
Then she rose early in the morning,
Early by the break of day;
And there she saw her dearest William Taylor,
Walking with his lady gay.
Verse 9
She boldly called for a brace of pistols,
Which were brought at her command;
And there she shot her dearest William Taylor,
With his bride at his right hand.
Verse 10
Then the captain being a brave hearted fellow,
Well pleased was he to see the fun;
Saying, 'If you'll be the captain I'll be the commander,
And over the seas we will roll on.'
Verse 11
Soon as the captain he beheld her,
For the deed she had done;
Then he made her his chief commander,
Over a ship of five hundred men.
Verse 12
She's married and is the captain's wife,
Was married in October;
They live a sweet and contented life,
There's none in the world above.
