Single Sailor (The Broken Token)
Freda Black
April 2012
As I went walking one bright May morning
viewing the meadows, taking me air
[I spied a fair young woman]
and she appeared to me like the rising sun
I stepped up to her, thinking to view her
she not knowing me as she pass me by
so I stepped up to her, thinking to view her
and I says my fair lass, can you fancy I?
to fancy you, you’re some man of honour
some man of honour, you appears to be
how could you expire[?] on a poor young woman
what is not more fitting for thy servant maid
well if you’re not fit now to be my servant
then I have greater regards for thee
I will marry you and make you my lady
and you shall have servants to wait on you
oh no, kind sir, I have a sweetheart a-waiting
seven long years he’s been gone from me
and if I should wait for him seven years longer
then my true love may return to me
he said I am your young and your single sailor
what has just returned from the raving sea
she said if you are my young and my single sailor
show to me that token we broke in two
show to me that ring that we broke between us
and that would prove to me oh yourself sincere
he puts his hand all in his pocket
his fingers were so long and thin
showed to her that ring that they broke between them
and down upon the ground she did fall
he picks her up all in his bosom
and gave her kisses by two and three
singing I am your young and your single sailor
what has just returned from the raving sea