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I Am a stout Seaman and newly com on shore,
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I have been a long Voyage where I near 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 beautifu[l] Dame I did see
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Yet none pleased me so well as Betty.
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Now I am intended whatever 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 his meeting of Betty.
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Well met pretty Betty my joy and my dear,
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I now am returned thy heart for to chear,
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The Second Part, To the same Tune.
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Though long I have been absent yet I thought on thee
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O my heart it was always with pretty Betty.
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Then come my own dearest to Tavern lets go,
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Whereas we'l be merry for any hour or two,
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Lovingly together we both will agree,
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And i'le drink a good health to my pretty Betty.
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And when we have done to the Church we will hy
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Whereas wee'l be joyned in Matrymony,
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And alwayes i'le 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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I'le 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 i'le bring it to thee,
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And i'le venter my life for my pretty Betty.
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And more then all this i'le 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 comepare with pretty Betty,
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Then come mine own Dearest & grant me thy Love
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Both loyal and constant to thee I will prove,
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If that thou wilt put trust and belief in me,
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I vow near to Love none but pretty Betty,
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Bettys reply wherein she shows her Love,
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Promising him alawayes constant to prove.
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O welcome my Dearest, welcome to shore,
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Thy absence so long hath trubled me sore,
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But since thou art returned this i'le assure thee
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It is thou art the man that my Husband shall be
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Although that some Maids nowadayes, prove un-true
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Yet i'le never change my old Love for a new
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My promise i'le keep while life remains in me,
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For thou art the man that my husband shall be
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I have been coured by many a proper youth
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If thou wilt beleive me i'le 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 discontent in mind,
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For to thee I'le alwayes prove loving and kind,
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No Lord nor Knight i[']le 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 and Honey,
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No wealth nor yet riches shall force to tempt me
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To forsake him whoever my true Love shall be.
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This lusty brave Seaman and 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 overjoy'd now he has gain'd 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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Al you young men & maidens pray learn by my song
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To be true to your sweethearts & do them no wrong
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Prove constant and just and not false-hearted be,
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And so I will now conclude my Ditty.
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