Jack-A-Roe (Traditional)

Lyrics

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 aplenty
Men of high degree.
But none like Jack the sailor
Her true e're could be.
Oh, her true e're could be.

But Jack he's gone a-sailing
With trouble on his mind.
He left his beautiful country
And his darling girl behind.
Oh, his darling girl behind.

She went down to a tailor shop
And dressed in men's array.
Climbed on board a vessel
To carry her away.
Oh, to carry her away.

Before you step on board sir
Your name I'd like to know.
She smiled on 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.
Oh, to face the cannonball.

I know my waist is slender
My fingers they are small.
But it wouldn't make me tremble
To see ten thousand fall.
Oh, to see ten thousand fall.

The worst being over
She went and looked around.
Amongst 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 into town.
Took him to 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?
Oh, why not you and me?
Oh, why not you and me?