EBBA 31329
British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
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The galant Seamans return
from the Indies, or the happy-meeting of two Faithful lovers.
Wherein is shewed the loyal constancy of a Seaman to his love, with her kind
salutation unto him for his Welcome home.
Observe this Song which is both neat and pretty
Tis on a Seaman in his praise of Betty.
Tune of Five Sail of Frigots, Or, Shrewsbury By T. L. With Allowance.
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I am a stout Seaman newly come on shore
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I have been a long Voyage where I nere was be-fore
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But now I am returned i[]me resolved to see
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My own dearest honey whose name is Betty.
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I have been absent from her full many a day
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But yet I was constant in every way
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Though many a beautiful dame I did see
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Yet none pleased me so well as pretty Betty
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Now I am intended what ever betide
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For to go and see her and make her my bride
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If that she and I can together agree
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I never will love none but pretty Betty.
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The Gallant Seamans Song at the meeting of Betty.
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Well met my pretty Betty my joy and my dear,
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I now am returned thy heart for to chear.
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Though long I have been absent yet I thought on thee
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O my heart it was alwayes with pretty Betty
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Then come my own dearest to the Tavern lets go
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Whereas weell be merry for an hour or two
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Lovingly together we both will agree
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And ile drink a good health to my pretty Betty.
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And when we have done to the hurch we will hy
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Whereas weel be joyned in Matrymony,
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And alwayes ile be a kind husband to thee
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If that thou wilt be my wife pretty Betty.
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I will kiss thee and hug thee all night in my arms,
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Ile be careful of thee and keep thee from harms
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I will love thee dearly in every degree
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For my heart it is fixed on pretty Betty.
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For thee I will rove and sail far and near
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The dangerous rough sea shall not put me in fear
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If I do get treasure ile bring it to thee,
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And ile venture my life for my pretty Betty.
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And more then all this ile tell thee my Dear.
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I will bring thee home rich Jewels for to wear,
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And many new fashions I will provide thee
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So that none shall compare unto pretty Betty.
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Then come mine own Dearest & grant me thy Love
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Both Loyal & constant to thee I will prove,
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If that thou wilt put trust & beleif in me
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I vow here to Love none but pretty Betty.
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Bettys reply wherein she shows her Love,
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Promising him alwayes constant to prove.
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O welcome my Dearest welcome to the shore
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Thy absence so long hath troubled me sore
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But since thou art returned this ile assur thee
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It is thou art the man that my Husband shall be
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Although that some Maids now adayes proves un-true
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Yet ile never change my old Love for a new,
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My promise ile keep while life remains in me
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For tis thou art the man that my husband shall be.
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I have been courted by many a proper youth
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If thou wilt beleive me ile tell thee the truth
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But all my affections I have set on thee
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For thou art the man that my husband shall be
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Then Dearest, be not discontented in mind,
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For to thee Ile alwayes prove loving & kind
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No Lord nor Knight ile have if they would have me
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For tis thou art the man that my husband shall be.
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If that I might gain a whole Ship-load of money.
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I would not forsake my true Love & Hony,
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No wealth nor yet riches shall force or tempt me
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[T]o forsake him who ever my true Love shall be.
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This lusty brave seaman & his dearest Dear
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Was married full speedily as I did hear,
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Now they both together do live happily
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And he vows to love his pretty Betty.
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He is overjoyd now he has gaind his mate
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They do Love and live without strife and debate,
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He is kind unto her in every degree
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So I wish him well to enjoy pretty Betty.
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All you young men & maidens pray learn by my so[ng],
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To be true to your sweet hearts & do them no wro[ng,]
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Prove constant and just and not false-hearted be,
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And so I will now conclude my new ditty
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Printed for F. Cole, T. Vere, J. Wright and J. Clarke. W. Thackery. T. Passenger.
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