I [Dm] am a young [Am] sailor, my [C] story is [Bb] sad
though [Dm] once I was [Am] carefree and a [Dm] brave sailor [Am] lad
I [Dm] courted a [Am] lassie, by [Dm] night and by [Am] day
but [Dm] now she has [Am] left me and [C] sailed far [Bb] away

Chorus
Oh, if I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing
I'd follow the vessle my true love sails in
and in the top rigging, I would there build my nest
and I'd flutter my wings, oer her lilly white breast

Or if I was a scholar and could handle the pen
one secret love letter to my true love I'd send
and tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain
since she's gone and left me in yon floaty glen

Chorus

I sailed 'oer the ocean, my fortune to seek
oh, I missed her caress and her hand on my cheek
I returned and I told her my love was still warm
but she turned away lightly, and great was her scorn

Chorus

I offered to take her to Donniebrook fair
and to buy her fine ribbons, to tie up her hair
I offered to marry and to stay by her side
but she says "In the mornin," she "sails with the tide"

Chorus

My parents they chide me, Oh they will not agree
sayin that me and my false love, married will never be
Ah but let let them deprive me, oh let them say what they will
while theres breath in my body, shes the one that I love still.

Chorus