Once there was a crafty girl
Ch: Hurrah, my boy! Hurrah, my boy!
Who wanted to go sailing as ordinary seamen,
Ch: Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, my boy!
She took service for seven years,
Because she didn't fear any danger.
She brought her chest and gear aboard,
Like a young sailor should.
Then she had to climb aloft,
Furling the sails with gaskets.
But a heavy gale and thunderstorm,
Tore the sails from her hands.
They tied her to the mast,
With her hands and feet fastened.
She called: "Captain, don't strike me,
I'm your lover, can't you see?"
And at that moment they unfastened her,
And she was touched with a kiss.
Then she went into the cabin,
Taking off her sailor clothes.
And what happened in the cabin,
That the first mate does not know.
But before the ship reached shore,
A new young sailor had arrived.
And, when she came into the town,
Where her mother lived,
She called: "Mother don't get angry,
I've sailed as a young seaman."
"With one who loves me true,
I have this innocent, little child."
"But before it is Whitmonday,
I'll be his husband, that's for sure!"
English translation