Black Eyed Susan

All in the Downs the fleet lay moored
She was waiting in the wind
When black-eyed Susan came on board
Saying «where shall I my true-love find?
Tell me jovial sailors, tell me true
Does my sweet William
Does my sweet William sail among your crew?»
Willy, who high upon the yard
Rocked by the billows to and fro
Soon as then her well-known voice he heard
He sighed and cast his eyes below
The cords glide swiftly through his glowing hands
And quicker than lightning
And quicker than lightning on the deck he stands
«Oh Susan, Susan, lovely dear
My vows will ever true remain
Let me kiss off those falling tears
We only part to meet again
Change as ye list ye winds, my heart shall be
The faithful compass
The faithful compass that shall point to thee»
«Believe not what the landsmen say
They’ll try to tempt thy constant mind
They’ll say that sailors when away
In every port a mistress find
Yes, yes, believe them when they tell thee so
For thou art present
For thou art present wheresoe’er I go»
«If to fair India’s coast I sail
Thine eyes are seen in diamonds bright
Thy breath is Africa’s spicy gale
Thy skin is ivory so white
The pleasant breezes wheresoe’er they blow
They bring me memories
They bring me memories of my lovely Sue
The boatswain gave the dreadful word
The sails their swelling bosom spread
No longer could she stay on board
She turned, she sighed, and hung her head
Her little boat unwilling rowed to land
«Adieu», she cried
«Adieu», she cried and waved her lily hand