Our Captain Cried All Hands – Shirley Collins
Our captain cried all hands, away tomorrow,
Leaving us girls behind in grief and sorrow.
“What makes you go abroad, fighting for strangers
When you could stay at home, and free from dangers?”
“I’d roll you in my arms, my dearest jewel,
So stay at home with me and don’t be cruel.”
She fell up on the floor like one that was dying;
This house was filled with grief, sighing and crying.
“You courted me a while just to deceive me,
Now that you’ve gained my heart you mean to leave me.
For there’s no trust in men, not my own brother,
So girls if you would love, love one each other.”
“The drums are beating loud, the pipes are playing,
I must be on my way, no longer staying.
Dry off those brandy tears and leave off weeping
And happy we shall be at our next meeting.”
