I would not have the shoemaker,
For all his work at the shoes,
But I would have the bonny boy

Who wears the tarry clothes.

For he walks upon the plain stones,

He sails upon the sea,
He wears a coat and a hairy cap,
It's a sailor -he loves me!


I would not have the blacksmith,
For all his work in the smithy,

But I would have the bonny boy
Who has my heart already.


A sailor, he loves me, ma boys,
A sailor he loves me;
And if I live another year

A sailor's wife I'll be!