Nantucket Girl's Song

Then I'll haste to wed a sailor and send him off to sea

For a life of independence is the pleasant life for me

But every now and then I would like to see his face

For it always seems to me to beam with a manly grace

With his brow so nobly open and his dark and kindly eye

Oh my heart beats fondly towards him whenever he is nigh

But when he says goodbye me love I'm off across the sea

First I cry for his departure then I laugh because I'm free

-- Eliza Brock, 18th Century Islander

Oh I'm a man that's handsome, I'm strapping and I'm young

And when I gotta job to do, the job gets fuckin' done

I want a love to keep me happy I want a love that's true

And of all my past endeavors if it's smitten then I'm with you

So I'll put on my buckle and shoe and I'll comb up me hair

And I lighten up my belt and shirt so it's handsome I'll appear

And I'll work both day and night to keep the money rolling in

So I can come back to my love, so I can see you again

Oh to walk the street or countryside whatever I may know

I know that I will be O.K. where ever it is I go

So I'm sorry I don't want children to follow at my feet

I'm happy by myself not chasing kids into the street

Oh I wasn't born for marrying for the game or for the blame

And when my friends do call me I like hearing my own name

But when he says goodbye my dear, I'm off across the sea

First I cry for his departure, then I laugh because I'm free