A Leavetaking: Pleasant and Delightful
It was pleasant and delightful on a midsummer's morn
And the green fields and the meadows were all covered in corn
And the blackbirds and thrushes sang on every green spray
And the larks they sang melodious at the dawning of the day
And the larks they sang melodious at the dawning of the day
And the larks they sang melodious
And the larks they sang melodious
And the larks they sang melodious at the dawning of the day

Now a sailor and his true love were a-walking one day
Said the sailor to his true love, “I am bound far away
I'm bound for the East Indies where the loud cannons roar
And I'm bound to leave you Nancy, you're the girl that I adore
And I'm bound to leave you Nancy
And I'm bound to leave you Nancy
And I'm bound to leave you Nancy, you're the girl that I adore.”

Then the ring from off her finger she instantly drew
Saying, “Take this, dearest William, and my heart will go too”
And as they were embracing tears from her eyes fell
Saying, “May I go along with you?”
“Oh no, my love, farewell”
Saying, “May I go along with you?”
Saying, “May I go along with you?”
Saying, “May I go along with you?”
“Oh no, my love, farewell”
“Fare thee well my dearest Nancy, no longer can I stay
For the topsails are hoisted and the anchors aweigh
And the ship she lies waiting for the fast flowing tide
And if ever I return again, I will make you my bride
And if ever I return again
And if ever I return again
And if ever I return again, I will make you my bride”