Oh Father, Father, come build me a boat,nThat o'er this ocean wide I may float,nAnd every ship that I chance to meet,nI will inquire for my William sweet.nnWe had not sailed for half an hour,nBefore we met a man-o-war.nOh, Captain, Captain, come tell me true,nDoes my boy William sail onboard with you?nnWhat color suits did your William wear?nWhat was the colour of your true love's hair?nHe had a suit of the royal blue,nAnd you would know him for his heart was true.nnThen your boy William, I'm sad to say,nThat he was drowned the other day.nOn yonder island that we passed by,nTwas there we laid to rest your sailor boy.nnShe wrung her hands and she tore her hair,nShe was a young lady in great despair.nOh father, father, how can I go on?nHow can I live now that my William's gone?nnI'll sit me down and I'll write me a song,nI'll write it neat and I'll write it long,nAnd in every line I will shed a tear,nAnd in every line I will set my William dear.nnI wish, I wish, but it's all in vain,nI wish I was a young maid again.nBut a maid again I will never be,nTill apples grow on an orange tree.nnBut a maid, a maid I will never be,nTill apples grow on an orange tree.
Lyrics by Alasdair Roberts
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