If I Was A Blackbird

I am a young sailor,
My story is sad
For once I was carefree
And a bold sailor lad
I courted a lassie
By night and by day
But now she has left me
And gone far away.

Chorus:
Oh if I was a blackbird,
Could whistle and sing
I'd follow the vessel
My true love sails in
And in the top rigging
I would there build my nest
And I'd flutter my wings
O'er her lily-white breast.

Or if I was a scholar
And could handle a pen
One secret love letter
To my true love I'd send
And I'd tell of my sorrow,
My grief and my pain
Since she's gone and left me
In yon flowery glen.

Chorus

I sailed o'er the ocean,
My fortune to seek
Though I missed her caress
And her kiss 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 Donnybrook Fair
And to buy her fine ribbons
To tie up her hair
I offered to marry
And to stay by her side
But she said in the morning
She sailed with the tide.

Chorus

My parents they chide me,
And will not agree
Saying that me and my false love
Married should never be
Ah but let them deprive me,
Or let them do what they will
While there's breath in my body,
She's the one that I love still.

Chorus

I am a young maiden
And my story is sad
For once I was courted
By a brave sailor lad.
He courted me strongly
By night and by day
But now my dear sailor
Is gone far away.

Chorus

He promised to take me
To Donnybrook fair,
To buy me red ribbons
To tie up my hair.
And when he'd return
From the ocean so wide,
He'd take me and make me
His own loving bride.

Chorus

His parents they slight me
And will not agree
That I and my sailor boy
Married should be.
But when he comes home
I will greet him with joy
And I'll take to my bosom
My dear sailor boy.

Chorus