EARLY IN THE SPRING (2)

Early, early in the spring
I was cast on board to serve my king,
Leaving my dearest dear behind,
Who often told me that her heart was mine.

As I was sailing on the sea,
I had an opportunity
Of writings letters to my dear,
But not one word from her could I hear.

I rode till I came to her father's hall
And for my love began to call.
Her father made me this reply:
"Be gone young man, she has you denied.

"She has married at my command,
And to a very wealthy man.
She is married now on terms of life;
Therefore, young man, seek another wife."

"O, if I could not my love obtain,
I'd still keep sailing o'er the main;
I'd ride the waves until I die
I'd sweep the decks where the bullets fly."

"Come back, come back, young man," she cried;
"There's plenty of fairer girls than I.
There's plenty of gold and silver too.
Pray, Willie don't go where they'll shoot you".

"Curse all gold and silver too
And all false lovers who won't prove true.
The vows and promises they make,
Then break them all for another's sake."

"Oh, if you've wrote letters to this town,
I will declare I never got one!
If faults be great, tis none of mine;
So don't blame a poor woman kind."

As he was walking along the street,
A letter he found beneath his feet,
And on the bottom these words were wrote-
Love seldom seen is soon forgot."


Text secured by Miss Lois Womble, Water Valley,
from Miss Mamie Poindexter, Pine Valley Calhoun County.
AP Hudson, 1936 Folksongs of Mississippi

DT #429
Laws M1
Roud-152
@sailor @love
filename[ EARLYSP2
TUNE FILE: EARLYSPR
CLICK TO PLAY
HG
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