Tell Me True - Shirley Collins

Father, father build me a boat

That on the ocean I go and float

And every king ship that do pass by

There I’ll inquire for my sailor boy

I hadn’t been sailing but half an hour

Before I met a bold man of war

Captain, captain tell me true

Is my sweet sailor man on board with you?

'No kind lady he is not here

That he is drowned most breaks my fear

The earth and night, the wind blew high

That’s when you lost your sweet sailor boy.'

I’ll set me down

I’ll write a song

I’ll write it neat and I’ll write it long

In every verse, I’ll shed a tear

In every lin hold sweet William dear

She wrung her hands and she tore her hair

Just like a lady in deep despair

A boat against the rocks did run

'How can I live now my William’s gone?'