When I was a young girl my fortune was set
I once went a courting a true sailor lad
I courted him fondly by night and by day
But now like a sailor he’s gone far away

My love he was handsome in every degree
My parents despised him because he loved me
But they can despise him and say what they will
Whilst there’s breath in my body I'll love that lad still

If I were a blackbird I’d whistle and sing
Follow the vessel my true love sailed in
And on the top rigging I’d thеre build my nest
And pillow my head on his lily-whitе breast

He promised to meet me at Donnybrook Fair
With a bunch of blue ribbon to tie up my hair
And if I should meet him I’d crown him with joy
While I kissed the lips of my own sailor boy

If I were a blackbird I’d whistle and sing
Follow the vessel my true love sailed in
And on the top rigging I’d there build my nest
And lay my head down on his lily-white breast

When I was a young girl my fortune was set
I once went a courting a true sailer lad
I courted him fondly by night and by day
And now like a sailor he’s gone far away