When I was a fair maid about seventeen
I listed in the Navy for to serve the queen
I listed in the Navy a sailor lad to stand
For to hear the cannons rattle and the music so grand
The music so grand, the music so grand
For to hear the cannons rattle and the music so grand

The officer that listed me was a tall and handsome man
He said You'll make a sailor so come along my man
My waist been tall and slender my fingers long and thin
And the very soon they learned me I soon exceeded them
I soon exceeded them, I soon exceeded them
And the very soon they learned me I soon exceeded them

They sent me to my bed they sent me to my bunk
To lie with a sailor I never was afraid
But taking off me bluecoat shirt often made me smile
For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while
A maiden all the while, a maiden all the while
For to think I was a maiden and a sailor all the while

They sent me up to London for to guard the tower
And I thought I might be there till my very dying hour
But a lady fell in love with me I told her I was a maid
She went up to the captain and my secret she betrayed
My secret she betrayed, my secret she betrayed
She went up to the captain and my secret she betrayed

The captain he came up to me and asked if this was so
I dare not I dare not I dare not say no
It's a pity we should lose you such a sailor lad you made
It's a pity we should lose you such a handsome young maid
Such a handsome young maid such a handsome young maid
It's a pity we should lose you such a handsome young maid

So fare thee well my captain you've been so kind to me
And likewise my shipmates I'm sorry to part with thee
But if ever he Navy needs a lad a sailor I'll remain
I'll put on me cap and feathers and I'll run the rigging again
I'll run the rigging again, I'll run the rigging again
I'll put on me cap and feathers and I'll run the rigging again