Jolly Roving Tar

As down by Derry Harbour, as I carelessly did stray, There I beheld a sailor lad, likewise a lady gay. She appeared to me like Venus bright or some superior star As she walked the beach lamenting for her jolly roving tar. Oh, many's a pleasant evening my love and I did pass, With many's a jovial sailor lad and many's a gay young lass; With the fiddlers sweetly playing and whiskey in the jar, She walked hand in hand together with her jolly roving tar. If you had seen young Willie, all dressed in sailor's clothes, With his cheeks as red as roses, and his eyes as dark as sloes; His hair hung down in ringlets fine, no blemish did him mar; And her heart lies in the bosom of her jolly roving tar. Pretty Susan boarded a long boat and they rowed her to shore. She's gone to her father's ships to see if they're well stored. Saying, "Adieu you maids of Derry town, I'm going from you afar To sail the wide world over," says her jolly roving tar. "Oh, Willie, lovely Willie, why must you go away? When I arrive at twenty one, sure I'm a lady gay. I'll man one of my father's ships and I'll brave the Chinese War." For her heart lies in the bosom of her jolly roving tar.