The Lass of Swansea Town
Traditional:
courtesy of www.SailorSongs.com - same melody as "The Holy Ground"
It was down by Swansea barracks one May morning I strayed
A-viewing of the soldier lads I spied a comely maid
It was o'er her red and rosy cheeks the tears did dingle down
I thought she was some goddess fair the lass of Swansea town
I said Fair maid, what brought you here what brought you here to mourn
Oh I'm in search of Willie dear my bonny young sailor boy
Eight years ago he left me here for Bermuda he was bound
He said he would prove faithful to the lass of Swansea town
If eight years ago he left you it is useless for to mourn
For perhaps he is in some battle slain or in the ocean drowned
Oh God forbid young man she said by what token will he be known
If he ever do return to the lass of Swansea Town
On his left breast he wears a scar where he received a wound
If by that token your Willie is known it's him I know right well
The cannon-ball which made him fall gave him his deathly wound
He told me to take care of you the lass of Swansea town
Soon as she heard him say these words she fell in deep despair
Wringing of her lily-white hands and tearing of her hair
Saying Take me to my Willie else give me my death wound
For no other man will ever enjoy the lass of Swansea town
On coming to herself once more up from the ground she rose
His waistcoat it blew open and the scar it did expose
They walked till they reached his cottage and there they settled down
Young Willie of the royal blue and the lass of Swansea town
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.
