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 linе 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?'