D

[Chorus]
      C                  D
Oh, a sailor's life is a weary life
       C                 D
For he robs the girls of their delight

Causes them to weep, causes them to mourn
G                    D
Loss of a true love, never to return


[Verse 1]
   C              D
Oh father, father build me a boat
    C                     D
And on the world's oceans I will float

Hail each captain as I pass by
G                            D
There I'll ask for my sailor boy


[Verse 2]
   C                D
Oh captain, captain tell me true
     C             D
Does my own Willie sail with you?

Tell me soon to give me joy
G                              D
None will I have but my sailor boy


[Verse 3]
   C              D
Oh no, kind lady, he's not here
   C                          D
He drowned in the gulf and we buried him there

Upon the island as we passed by
G                         D
There we left your sailor boy


[Verse 4]
        C                  D
Oh, she rung her hands and tore her hair
     C                 D
Just like some lady in great despair

Called for a chair to sit her down
G                          D
Penningdon for to write it down


[Verse 5]
    C                     D
Oh, dig my grave wide and deep
      C                   D
Put a marble stone at the head and feet

On my grave a turtle dove
G                            D
Tell the world I died for my love


[Chorus]
      C                  D
Oh, a sailor's life is a weary life
       C                 D
For he robs the girls of their delight

Causes them to weep, causes them to mourn
G                    D
Loss of a true love, never to return