Strophe:

C G

4Twas early in the month of spring

a G

When Willie went to serve the king.

C G

The night was dark and the wind blew high

a G

I had to part for my Willie boy.





Refrain:

F C G

Father, father make me a boat,

a e

He4s on the ocean, that4s all I know.

F C G

I4ll watch the ships as they pass by,

F F G

I will enquire for my Willie boy.



Strophe:

She sailed the sea for one day or two

When she met a captain and his jolly crew.

Oh please dear captain, tell me true,

Did my Willie boy sail on board with you?



Refrain:

What colour of clothes did your Willie wear?

What colour of hair had your Willie dear?

He wore a jacket of royal blue,

His hair was black, and his heart was true.



Strophe:

Indeed fair maiden, he is not here,

He4s on the deep that I greatly fear.

At St. Andrew4s Bay as we passed by

I lost nine more and your Willie boy.



Refrain:

She shook her head and she tore her hair

She was a lady in deep despair.

She crashed her boat against a rock

Crying How could I live when my love is lost?



Strophe:

She wrote a letter and she wrote it long,

And in this letter she wrote a song.

At every line she shed a tear,

At every line she cried Willie dear!



Refrain:

Father, Father make me a grave.

Dig it long and dig it deep,

And at my head lay a gentle dove

So the world will know that I died of love.



1. Refrain: