[Intro]
Am Em X4
[Verse 1]
Am Em G F
I am a young sailor, my story is sad,
C Em Am Em
Though once I was carefree and a brave sailor lad,
C Em Am Em
I courted a lassie by night and by day,
Am Em
Oh but now she has left me,
G F
And sailed far away.
[Chorus]
Am Em G F
Oh, if I was a blackbird could whistle and sing,
C Em Am Em
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in,
C Em Am Em
And in the top riggin' I would there build my nest,
Am Em G F
And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lilly white breast.
[Verse 2]
Am Em G F
Or if I was a scholar and could handle the pen
C Em Am Em
Once secret love letter to my true love I'd send
C Em Am Em
And I'd tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain
Am Em
Since she's gone and left me
G F
In yon flowery glen.
[Chorus]
Am Em G F
Oh, if I was a blackbird could whistle and sing,
C Em Am Em
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in,
C Em Am Em
And in the top riggin' I would there build my nest,
Am Em G F
And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lilly white breast.
[Verse 3]
Am Em G F
I sailed o'er the ocean, my fortune to seek
C Em Am Em
Though I missed her caress and her kiss on my cheek
C Em Am Em
I returned and I told her my love was still warm
Am Em
but she turned away lightly
G F
And great was her scorn.
[Chorus]
Am Em G F
Oh, if I was a blackbird could whistle and sing,
C Em Am Em
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in,
C Em Am Em
And in the top riggin' I would there build my nest,
Am Em G F
And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lilly white breast.
[Bridge]
Am Em G F
C Em Am Em
C Em Am Em
Am Em G F
[Verse 4]
Am Em G F
I offered to take her to Donnybrook Fair
C Em Am Em
And to buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair
C Em Am Em
I offered to marry and to stay by her side
Am Em
But she says in the morning
G F
She sails with the tide.
[Chorus]
Am Em G F
Oh, if I was a blackbird could whistle and sing,
C Em Am Em
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in,
C Em Am Em
And in the top riggin' I would there build my nest,
Am Em G F
And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lilly white breast.
[Verse 5]
Am Em G F
My parents, they chide me, and will not agree
C Em Am Em
Saying that me and my false love, married should never be
C Em Am Em
Oh but let them deprive me, or let them do what they will
Am Em
While there's breath in my body
G F
She's the one that I love still
[Chorus]
Am Em G F
Oh, if I was a blackbird could whistle and sing,
C Em Am Em
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in,
C Em Am Em
And in the top riggin' I would there build my nest,
Am Em G F
And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lilly white breast.
[Outro]
Am Em G F
C Em Am Em
C Em Am Em
Am Em G F
Am Em
Am Em
Am Em
Am