Grace Anderson and friends       [Pleasant and Delightful]    SA1974.11.10

When this first appeared as a broadsheet around 1815 it was called The Sailor and his True Love. Over thirty versions have been recorded, mostly in various places in England. Roy Palmer points out that the giving of some token – a ring, or half of a coin – “was not only of romantic but of practical significance when years of separation and hardship could transform a lover’s physical appearance.” (R. Palmer: The Oxford Book of Sea Songs, p.178).   Roud no. 660
In this 1974 rendering a lively party contributes some spirited choruses.

It was pleasant and delightful on a bright summer’s morn
When the fields and the meadows were all covered with corn,
And the blackbirds and thrushes sang in every green tree
And the larks, they sang melodious at the dawn of the day.

And the larks they sang melodious,
And the larks they sang melodious,
And the larks they sang melodious
At the dawn of the day. 

For a sailor and his true love were out walking one day;
Said the sailor to his true love, “I am bound far away.
I am bound for the East Indies where the cannons wild roar,
So farewell my lovely Nancy, you’re the girl I adore.”

So farewell my lovely Nancy,
So farewell my lovely Nancy,
So farewell my lovely Nancy,
You’re the girl I adore.”

“So farewell, my lovely Nancy, I can no longer stay,
For her top-sails are hoisted and our anchors are weighed
And our good ship lies ready neath the vast flowing tide,
But if ever I return again, I will make you my bride.”

“And if ever I return again,
and if ever I return again,
But if ever I return again,
I will make you my bride.” 

Then the ring from off her finger, she instantly drew,
Saying, “Take this, dearest William, my heart beats for you.”
As he instantly embraced her from her eyes tears fell,
Saying, “May I go along with you?” “Oh no, love, farewell.”

Saying, “May I go along with you?”
Saying, “May I go along with you?”
Saying, “May I go along with you?”
“Oh no, love, farewell.”