[Verse 1]
C G
When I was a fair maid about seventeen
C
I listed in the Navy for to serve the Queen
G C G
I listed in the Navy a sailor lad to stand
F C G C
For to hear the cannons rattle and the music so grand
G C G
The music so grand, the music so grand
F C G C
For to hear the cannons rattle and the music so grand
[Verse 2]
C G
The officer that listed me was a tall and handsome man
C
He said ‘You'll make a sailor so come along my man’
G C G
My waist been tall and slender my fingers long and thin
F C G C
And the very soon they learned me I soon exceeded them
G C G
I soon exceeded them, I soon exceeded them
F C G C
And the very soon they learned me I soon exceeded them
[Verse 3]
C G
They sent me to my bed they sent me to my bunk
C
To lie with a sailor I never was afraid
G C G
But taking off me bluecoat shirt often made me smile
F C G C
For to think I was a sailor and a maiden all the while
G C G
A maiden all the while, a maiden all the while
F C G C
For to think I was a maiden and a sailor all the while
[Verse 4]
C G
They sent me up to London for to guard the tower
C
And I thought I might be there till my very dying hour
G C G
But a lady fell in love with me I told her I was a maid
F C G C
She went up to the captain and my secret she betrayed
G C G
My secret she betrayed, my secret she betrayed
F C G C
She went up to the captain and my secret she betrayed
[Verse 5]
C G
The captain he came up to me and asked if this was so
C
I dare not I dare not I dare not say no
G C G
It's a pity we should lose you such a sailor lad you made
F C G C
It's a pity we should lose you such a handsome young maid
G C G
Such a handsome young maid such a handsome young maid
F C G C
It's a pity we should lose you such a handsome young maid
[Verse 6]
C G
So fare thee well my captain you've been so kind to me
C
And likewise my shipmates I'm sorry to part with thee
G C G
But if ever the Navy needs a lad a sailor I'll remain
F C G C
I'll put on me cap and feathers and I'll run the rigging again
G C G
I'll run the rigging again, I'll run the rigging again
F C G C
I'll put on me cap and feathers and I'll run the rigging again