William and Nancy's Parting Songtext
von John Wesley Harding

Come all you pretty maidens
That have a mind to go
All along with your lover
For to face the daring foe
I′ve a mind to venture
Where the cannonballs do fly
All along with my love I'll go

He says "My lovely Nancy
I hope you′ll not repine
For I must go onboard
Our noble fleet to join
Our orders are to sea my dear
And now we must obey
And behind me you must stay"


She says "My lovely William
Oh don't you leave me here
I'll dress me as a seaman
And along with you I′ll steer
Let me go along with you
Your mess mate for to be
And I′ll fight so manfully"

He says "My lovely Nancy
Great danger is at sea
Perhaps we may be shipwrecked
Or else be cast away
And in the line of battle
Perhaps you may be slain
So behind me you must remain"

"Your pretty little fingers
They are so long and small
You'll think it but hard usage
Our cable ropes to haul
When the winds they do blow high
And the billows loudly roar
At home you must be on shore"


So now my love has gone abroad
As I do tell you plain
Kind heaven shall protect him
As he′s ploughing on the main
Protect him from all danger
Where the cannonballs do fly
And send my William home again