There was a wealthy merchant
In London he did dwell
He had a beautiful daughter

The truth to you I'll tell
Oh, the truth to you I'll tell


She had sweethearts a-plenty
And men of high degree
But none but Jack the sailor

Her true love ere could be
Oh, her true love ere could be


Jack he's gone a-sailing
With trouble on his mind
He's left his king and his country

And his darling girl behind
Oh, his darling girl behind


She went down to a tailor's shop
And dressed in men's array
She's signed a bill of passage

To convey herself away
Oh, convey herself away


Before you get on board, Sir
Your name we'd like to know
She smiled all in her countenance

They call me Jack-a-Roe
Oh, they call me Jack-a-Roe


I see your waist is slender
Your fingers they are small
Your cheeks to red and rosy

To face the cannonball

I know my waist is slender

And my fingers they are small
But it would not make me tremble
To see ten thousand fall

To see them fall

The war soon being over

She went and looked around
Among the dead and wounded
Her darling boy she found

Oh, her darling boy she found

She picked him up all in her arms

And carried him to the town
She sent for a physician
Who quickly healed his wounds

Oh, who quickly healed his wounds

This couple they got married

So well they did agree
This couple they got married
So why not you and me?

Oh, why not you and me?