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EBBA 33978

National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
THE Seamans Complaint
OF
His Unkind Mistress,
Of Wapping.
Tune of, I love you dearly, I love you well: Or, Languishing Swain.

WHen I went early in the spring,
On Board a ship to serve the King,
I left my dearest Love behind,
Who said her heart for ere was mine.

Her Love appeard most true to be,
And she on board would go with me,
She went as far as the Boy i th Nore,
And then returnd back to the shore.

Oft-times I hugd her in my Arms,
I thought she had a thousand Charms,
Our vows we bound with kisses sweet,
To Marry next time we did meet.

A golden Chain I did present,
She seemed very well content,
She sighd, and said, it breaks my Heart,
To think my love and I must part.

While I was sailing on the Sea,
I took all opportunity,
To send Letters unto my Dear,
But yet from her I nere could hear.

When we were Booming of a Town,
Where Cannon-balls flew up and down,
I th worst of all those Dangers there,
My thoughts was still upon my Dear.

But since we are returned home,
My Love I went to wait upon,
Who did in Wapping dwell of late,
And now has made me unfortunate.

For when I to her Father came,
And askd for my Love by her Name,
Her Father churlishly did cry,
Sir, all your Love she does defie.

Said I, what mean you Sir by this?
To tell you true, she wedded is,
To a rich old Man for all her life,
And you may look for another wife.

Curst on all false love where ere it be,
A curse on all such Perjury:
A curse on those who ere do make
Or break a Vow for Riches sake.

A curse on gold and silver too,
A curse upon that Miser, who
Has made his Daughter change her mind,
Oh! womens tongues are like the wind.

Adieu all comfort of my life,
Adieu the Pleasures of a wife;
Adieu all false hearts here on shore,
For I will nere see England more.

Ill go where Bombs and Cannons play,
Where they neer cease both night nor day
Ill range the seas until I die,
Where waves are tossing mountains high.

Since I have lost my hearts delight,
I bid unto the world good night,
Id rather be where Bullets fly,
Than in a womans company.


Printed for Charles Barnet. 1694.

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