And it was on one Whitsun Wednesday, the fourteenth day of May
That we untied our anchor, and so we sailed away
Where the sun do shine most glorious, to Lisbon we were bound
Where the hills and fields are daintied with pretty maidens around
I wrote a letter to Nancy, that she might understand
That I was going to leave her unto some foreign land
She said: "My dearest William, these words will break my heart
Oh, let us married be tonight before that you do start
"For ten long weeks and better, love, I've been with child by thee
So stay at home, dear William, be kind and marry me."
"Our captain has commanded us and I shall have to go
For the Queen's in want of men, my love, I cannot not answer, No."
"Oh, I'll cut off my yellow hair, men's clothing I'll put on
And I will go along with you and be your waiting man
And when it is your watch on deck, your duty I will do
I'll brave the field of battle, love, so I could go with you."
"Your pretty little fingers they are both long and small
Your waist it is too slender, love, to face the cannon-ball
For the cannons they do rattle and the blazing bullets fly
And the silver trumpets they do sound to drown the mournful cry."
"Pray do not talk of danger, for love is my desire
And I will go along with you and with you spend my time
And I will travel through France and Spain all for to be your bride
And it's on the field of battle I will lay down by your side."
And it was on one Whitsun Wednesday, the fourteenth day of May
That we untied our anchor, and so we sailed away
Where the sun do shine most glorious, to Lisbon we were bound
Where the hills and fields are daintied with pretty maidens around
