[Verse 1]
As I roved out one evening fair
It being summer to take the air
I spied a sailor and lady gay
And I stood to listen
And I stood to listen
To hear what they might say

[Verse 2]
He said, "Fair lady, why do you roam?
The day is spent and the night is on"
She heaved a sigh while the tears did roll
"For my dark-eyed sailor
For my dark-eyed sailor
So young and stout and bold

[Verse 3]
"'Tis seven long years since he left this land
A ring he took off his lily-white hand
One half the ring is still with me
But the other's rolling
But the other's rolling
At the bottom of the sea"

[Verse 4]
He said, "Can't you drive him out of your mind?
Another young man you surely can find
Love turns aside and cold does grow
Like a winter's morning
Like a winter's morning
When the hills are white with snow"
[Verse 5]
She said, "I will never forsake my dear
Although we're parted this many a year
Genteel he was and no villain like you
To induce a maiden
To induce a maiden
To slight the jacket of blue"

[Verse 6]
Then half of the ring did young William show
She ran distracted in grief and woe
Crying, "William, William, I have gold in store
For my dark-eyed sailor
For my dark-eyed sailor
Who's proved his overthrow"

[Verse 7]
There is a cottage by yonder lea
This couple is married and does agree
So maids be loyal when your love is away
For a cloudy morning
For a cloudy morning
Brings in a sunny day